ILonka Rus

Transylvanian born pianist Dr. ILonka Rus is the Director of Keyboard Studies and Professor of Piano at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX.

She began her piano studies with her mother at the age of five in Romania. By the age of ten she had given her first public performance and won her first award at the International Piano Competition “Citta di Marsala” in Italy. She appeared as a recitalist and concert artist with numerous orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout Romania, Italy, Spain, Germany, Holland and USA.

Dr. Rus has performed in prestigious music centers including Carnegie Hall (New York) Ateneul Roman (Bucharest), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam). She continues to teach piano solo and chamber music master classes, perform clinics and adjudicate national and international competitions in USA, Romania, Colombia.

Dr. Rus’ success as a teacher is attested to by the accomplishments of her students who have been accepted at elite schools such as Julliard School, Rice University, and USC. Since 2009

Dr. Rus has been a regular guest teacher and recitalist at the International Music Festival in Medellin, Colombia. In 2021, Dr. Rus received the prestigious Kawai Educator Medallion Award. In 2022, Dr. Rus became the President of the World Piano Teachers Association-Texas Chapter.