About Wes

Wes Fishwick began his music studies at a very early age. His parents, both professional musicians, encouraged him to begin exploring the piano at age three. Formal piano lessons began at age five with his father William, a graduate of the Royal College of Organists, London.

Wes made his concert debut at fourteen performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. Shortly after, he began studies with Mischa Kottler, pianist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra who was to become his primary teacher, musical guide and friend.  At fifteen, Wes played for Van Cliburn who awarded him several scholarships to the Interlochen Music Camp where he  studied with Eugene List, professor of piano at the Eastman School of Music and ex-officio pianist to presidents and world leaders (including Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin among others).

Wes has taken first prize in the Grinnell Piano Competition (Michigan State University, USA) and the Young Keyboard Artists International Piano Competition (University of Michigan, International). He was also a participant in the fifth Tchaikovsky International Competition (Moscow).

Wes has appeared with orchestras, in solo recitals and with chamber music groups. He has conducted master classes at several universities.  Most recently, he was guest speaker at Grand Valley State University. His CD release, Beethoven: Three Romantic Piano Sonatas, a live performance recording, has received critical acclaim.

Well-known as a composer, Wes’s choral work Six Acrostics was a prizewinner at the Ithaca College International Composition Competition (Ithaca, New York). Commissions include a piano concerto and House Set Apart (mixed chorus, soprano solo, narrator, brass, and timpani) for the Birmingham Unitarian Church. From hymns, wedding songs and tangos to more extensive works for orchestra, chamber groups and vocal ensembles, Wes’s catalog includes over 100 entries. His newest album, Summer Journey, is comprised of works for violin, cello and piano.  

Wes holds bachelor and masters degrees in piano performance from Wayne State University, completing his studies there under Mischa Kottler. Further postgraduate work includes education certification from University of Detroit-Mercy, a masters of science in education from Walden University, and theological study at Wittenberg University.

Currently a  fifth grade classroom educator, Wes resides in the Metro Detroit area with his wife, Mary, their five children, and Molly, the family’s faithful doggy.