Marquessa Bullock Aikele is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Utah State University in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. She trained formatively with Gary Amano, Betty Beecher, and the late Edward McCallson. During her undergraduate years she was a teacher at USU’s Youth Conservatory, a comprehensive pre-college piano program where she was awarded Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Aikele has participated in numerous piano competitions and festivals, receiving multiple awards. She has also been a professional accompanist at the University of Texas San Antonio and St. Mary’s University. She was awarded an overall talent winner at Miss Utah 1993 and awarded the title of Miss Utah the same year. She is the recipient of the Robins Award at USU for lifetime achievement.
Mrs. Aikele has adjudicated many festivals and competitions, including the JK Hodges Piano Competition and the USU Piano Festival. She maintains a private piano studio. She is married to Sam Aikele and they reside in Logandale, Nevada with their four children.