Hailed by the New York Times as a “virtuoso pianist” Artina McCain, has built a formidable career as a performer, educator and speaker. As a recitalist, her credits include performances at Wigmore Hall and Barbican Centre in London, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Weill Hall at Carnegie in New York City and more. Other highlights include guest appearances with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra and others. In 2022, she was the mistress of ceremony for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. 

Dedicated to promoting the works of underrepresented voices, she is a prolific recording artist and publishing advocate. Recordings including collaborative projects: I, Too (Naxos) focused on African American Spirituals and Art Songs and multiple recordings with her husband and duo partner Martin McCain. Hal Leonard published her transcriptions of Twenty-Four Traditional African American Folk Songs for beginning and intermediate pianists. In 2025, Frances Clark Center will publish her edition of virtuosic piano works by grammy award winning composer, Joseph Joubert.

McCain was a featured inspirational leader in the award-winning PBS documentary series Roadtrip Nation: Degree of Impact in an episode exploring the real-world impact of professionals with doctoral degrees in and outside of academia. McCain’s performances have been heard on the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), Germany’s WDR and television appearances including features on CSPAN for the MLK 50 Commemoration. 

After not performing for 6 years while battling a performance injury, she enjoys a prolific concert career with more than 10 years of full injury recovery. She uses her recovery to serve as an advocate of musicians’ wellness–curating articles, lectures, and forums to educate teachers and students. Most recently the BBC featured her on the podcast Sideways telling her miraculous story of injury to recovery. McCain has written and presented on wellness and other topics in publications and at multiple universities and national conferences.

McCain graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University. She received her Master of Music from Cleveland Institute of Music and holds a doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, she is Associate Professor of Piano and Coordinator of the Keyboard Area at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis and Co-Founder/Director of the Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition. 

In her spare time, Artina enjoys boutique shopping, traveling internationally and is an avid foodie and tea aficionado. 

Artina McCain is a Yamaha Artist.