Among the next generation of concert artists, pianist Awadagin Pratt is increasingly acclaimed as a superstar on the rise, named one of the 50 leaders of tomorrow by Ebony magazine.

Pratt will perform Saturday at Stephens Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Pratt began studying piano at age six.

Three years later, having moved to Normal, Ill., he also began learning the violin. By age 16, he entered the University of Illinois where he studied piano, violin and conducting.

He subsequently enrolled at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, where he become the first student in the school’s history to receive diplomas in three performance areas.

The colorful, T-shirt wearing, dreadlock sporting, ivory tickler defies stereotypes. His creative interpretations are full of energy not typically seen in the classical arena.

Winner of the Naumburg International Piano Competition in 1992, just two years later he was awarded a 1994 Avery Fisher Career Grant.

Since then, Pratt has traveled the world over and played with world renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic.

He has also performed at the White House at the invitation of the President and Mrs. Clinton.

Among the works Pratt will perform are Beethoven’s “Sonata in A Major, Op.101,” “Prelude and Fugne in C# Major” by Bach and Chopin’s “Nocturne in B Major, Op. 62, No. 1.”

Tickets are still available at the Iowa State Center Ticket Office located at Stephens Auditorium and all TicketMaster outlets for $11, $15 and $19 with half-priced tickets for Iowa State students. Call 233-1888 to charge by phone.