Elena Nezhdanova
A Russian-born American pianist, Dr. Elena Nezhdanova, enjoys multifaceted teaching and active performing careers. She made a debut with an orchestra at the age of eight in her native hometown in Russia. In October 2015, Elena performed Peter Tchaikovsky’s 1st piano concerto with Sichuan Philharmonic Orchestra in Chengdu, China. She was a guest artist at the Civic Morning Musicals concert series in Syracuse, NY. She was invited three times to perform as part of the Lives of the Piano concert series at Manhattan School of Music in NYC, in concerts dedicated to MSM Centennial, Claude Debussy Centennial celebrations, and in February 2022 performed selected works from "Petites Esquisses d'oiseaux" by Olivier Messiaen. In March 2019, Elena performed alongside Albanian-born American pianist and professor of piano at Syracuse University, Ida Tili-Trebicka, Bach's double keyboard concerto in C major, as part of the NC Bach Festival. Pre-Covid-19, Dr. Nezhdanova was invited to be one of Professor Daniele Petralia’s International Master Class participants and give a solo piano and duo recitals in Sicily, Italy Summer 2020 (postponed).
A passionate advocate for new music, recent collaboration with New York based composer, Brian Field to participate in his piano-climate change project. In 2021, Elena commissioned Miami-based composer, Dr. Peter Learn to write a large-scale solo piano sonata, “Sonata Hesperus” which awaits its premier.
An avid chamber musician, Elena is a co-founder of Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo (cello/piano). Their professional engagements include the American East Coast, London U.K., Dresden and Chemnitz's performances in Germany, and four prominent Czech cities, including Prague, where they performed Brahms’s Piano Trio, op. 114 with renowned Czech violist Vladimir Bukac. In September 2021, the Duo received “Gold” and “Best Chamber Ensemble” award at the 3rd World Piano Teachers Association – Singapore International Piano Competition (Chamber Music category). The duo is resuming their performing activities post Covid-19 pandemic and are currently on the Board of Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music.
Many years of interest in and research of physiology of piano playing brought Dr. Nezhdanova the opportunity to write a review of Irina Gorin's piano method "Tales of a Musical Journey” based on the Ukrainian/Russian/European School of piano playing published by the Clavier Companion Magazine (The Piano Magazine) in November 2017. As an active clinician, Dr. Nezhdanova presented at North Carolina Teachers Association chapters (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh), North Carolina State’s conference, and in September recorded a five-hour workshop presentation of Junior A and Junior B repertoire for the 2021-2023 NCMTA Piano Performance Festival. In June 2019, Dr. Nezhdanova was invited to give a three-hour lecture on new American piano methods for professional piano teachers in Olomouc, Czech Republic. During the same trip, she gave a master class to piano four-hands student ensembles from North London Collegiate School in the U.K. In May 2020, Elena was invited to appear as a guest speaker, gave master classes through YouTube live stream for The Piano League, and taught virtual guest master classes for East Tennessee State University and Opus Ithaca School of Music.
Dr. Nezhdanova’s students frequently receive Highest Honors at various local North Carolina Young Artist competitions; participated and won awards at the North Carolina Bach Festival; performed at the Live “Piano Star Showcase” for Young Pianists through The Piano League featuring talented students from the US and Canada. Internationally, Dr. Nezhdanova’s students won top prizes at “Rising Star” Carmel International Online Competition, Carmel Klavier International Competition for Young Artists, and Rocky Mountain International Competition and Festival (Canada).
Dr. Nezhdanova holds BM from Syracuse University, MM from Ithaca College, DMA from UNC Greensboro.