Pianist William Chapman Nyaho will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Blue Heron Art Center.

A former Vashon resident, Nyaho last performed to a sold-out Blue Heron audience in 2002. In recent years, he has taught and toured internationally. He has also recorded music and published a book about African composers.

Nyaho’s concert will feature a classical repertoire, including music by Liszt, Shubert, Bach and African composers Florence Price, Fred Onozwersuoke and Oswald Russell.

His close friend and mentor, Maya Angelou, described Nyaho’s work in the liner notes to one of his CDs: “He is able to offer music, light and sunny, which brings to mind the games of childhood’s summer.”

Nyaho’s earned his bachelor’s degree from Oxford University’s Honour School of Music and continued his studies at the Conservatoire de Musique de Geneve and the Eastman School of Music, where he received a master of music degree. He earned his doctorate of musical art from the University of Texas at Austin.

Nyaho has received prizes in prestigious piano competitions and has taught at many universities and schools.

Nyaho’s book “Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora” and his CDs will be available at the concert.

Tickets, $10 to $15, are on sale at Heron’s Nest, Books by the Way, www.brownpapertickets.com and by calling 463-5131.