Hailed for his “rhythmic integrity, singing tone quality, and refinement” (Clavier), Swedish-American pianist Elias-Axel Pettersson has established himself as a formidable soloist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. A Mason & Hamlin Concert Artist, he has garnered prizes on the national and international level. In 2008, Pettersson formed Duo Giocoso with French violinist Roland Arnassalon; in 2017, he formed Æterna Sirius with pianist Jessica Yam. Pettersson champions contemporary composers, premiering Michael Mauldin’s Petroglyph for Piano (2011), among other works. Pettersson has three albums on the Axel Records label and has cultivated a loyal online following through his website and YouTube channel. He has been a jury member for numerous regional and national competitions.
Pettersson is a frequent performer, lecturer, and masterclass teacher throughout the USA, Canada, and Sweden. He is known as a conscientious, patient, and motivational guide, combining his extensive music theory and history background with Alexander Technique in creating a methodical, yet holistic and creative approach. In 2015, Pettersson founded Southwest Piano Festival; in 2018, he became Director of Program Development for Arizona Piano Institute, where he has lectured, taught masterclasses, and performed alongside faculty artists including Nelita True, Elisabeth and Eugene Pridonoff, Pavlina Dokovska, Yuri Kot, and Eckart Sellheim and Dian Baker. In 2019, Pettersson joined the faculty at Adamant Music School and Arizona School for the Arts.
Pettersson studied with Paul Stewart, Sergei Babayan, Larissa Dedova, Douglas Humpherys, and Maribeth Gunning; he also played for André Watts, Jean-Bernard Pommier, Arnaldo Cohen, Pavel Nersessian, Dina Joffe, and the Guarneri String Quartet. Pettersson holds a doctorate from l’Université de Montréal.