Ian Shapinsky, 68, of Austin, Minnesota, died Thursday, July 6, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Saint Marys Campus.

Nathaniel Ian Shapinsky was born June 20, 1949, in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, New York, the son of professional musicians and teachers, Aaron and Norma (Ehrlich) Shapinsky. He could have chosen to pursue any instrument, but from the start, he knew his life would revolve around the piano. He began taking lessons when he was 7 and by age 9, he was playing professionally. Gradually, duo concerts with his father spread throughout the USA and Europe. Ian attended Professional Children’s School in New York City. He received his high school diploma from the Waldorf School in Garden City, Long Island and received his BM and MS Degrees (Bachelor of Music and Masters of Science) from Juilliard. He did some post-graduate school at New York University as well. He was privileged to study with Jascha Zayde, Ania Dorfmann, Rosina Lhevinne, Nadia Reisenberg and Sonja Gurewich, all famous teachers. His distinctive style of virtuoso playing and musicianship won him many awards, competitions and prizes, including Recitalist of the Year, the Presidential Citation from the New York Federation of Music Clubs, various prizes from the National Federation of Music Clubs, first prize from the Mannes College Concerto Competition, first prize from the Five Towns Music and Art Foundation, first prize in piano at two Miami Beach national competitions and many other competitions.

Ian began touring Europe in 1968, performing in many of the major cities and capitols such as Brussels, Paris, London as well as Carnegie Hall and other venues in New York City. He has performed on radio, television, and live stage concerts. Ian performed in solo piano recitals, in chamber music, as a soloist in concertos and in duo piano recitals and performed music by the great classical composers and compositions by George Gershwin. His concerts were a mixture of dazzling virtuosity, wonderful musicianship, sensitivity, humor, and dedication to making great music. He also taught master-classes and lecture recitals, including programs for children and families. Ian had been awarded several grants from the Rubin Foundation, as well as a performing grant from IBM, for the purpose of giving lectures in schools to foster in children a love and appreciation of the music of the great composers.

On Feb. 22, 2002, Ian was united in marriage to Katherine Franklin in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple made their home in Austin, Minnesota, where they raised their twin daughters, Olivia and Ariana. Ian was presently teaching music at the MacPhail Center for Music in Austin.

Survivors include his wife, Katherine of Austin; daughters, Olivia and Ariana, both of Austin; his mother, Norma Shapinsky of Carmel, California; a brother, Gerald J. (Evie) Shapinsky of North Olmsted, Ohio; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Aaron, in 1984.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at the Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, Minnesota. No formal services will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials are directed to the MacPhail Center for Music in Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.