Pianist

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www.pianoatskymusic.com

 

    Yelena Balabanova was raised in the Moscow region of Russia, where she began her musical training at the age of four.  She received a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy Summa cum Laude from the Moscow Gnesins’ Music College at the age of 19.  She holds a Master's degree in piano performance, pedagogy, chamber music, and accompanying Summa cum Laude from the Russian State Academy of Music in Moscow and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she studied with Larry Graham and Robert Spillman.
     Yelena has performed as a soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician in many festivals and concert series, including Steinway Hall in New-York City, a four-year tenure at Colorado Music Fest, Roanoke Opera, collaboration with the DaVinci and Veronica string quartets, and concert tours in Russia and Europe.
     Dr. Balabanova has taught at the State School of the Arts in the Moscow region of Russia, at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the Renaissance Music Academy of Virginia, and University of Colorado at Boulder, also frequently performing and judging state and international competitions. She is a sought –after clinician on such issues as injury prevention, artistry, and performance practice. Dr. Balabanova received the National  Recognition Certificate from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. After working as an Artistic Director of API and Colorado MTNA Competition Chairman, currently she is a MTNA Washington Chairman for Arts Awareness and Advocacy.
    In 2001, Yelena’s love for teaching led her to found International Conservatory Studio, Inc. (ICS) in Colorado Springs. ICS students have been recognized with many state, national, and international awards, and received scholarships to such schools as Peabody Conservatory, BYU, CU-Boulder, Cleveland Institute of Music, Wheaton Conservatory in Chicago, and others. Currently, Dr. Balabanova enjoys performing across the U.S. and teaching with ICS both online and at its new location in Seattle, Washington. For more information, please, visit www.pianoatskymusic.com.