Elena Nezhdanova

Elena Nezhdanova, has performed in U.S., China, and Europe, as an orchestral soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. She made a debut with an orchestra at the age of eight in her native hometown in Russia. In October 2015, Nezhdanova had an opportunity to perform Peter Tchaikovsky’s 1st piano concerto with Sichuan Philharmonic Orchestra in Chengdu, China. As a solo performer, she was a guest artist at the Civic Morning Musicals concert series in Syracuse, N.Y.; Music House Recital Series in Greenville, SC; performed at the Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Camp and was invited to perform four times at the Lives of the Piano concert series at Manhattan School of Music in NYC. In the Spring 2023 she will perform a lecture recital on “24 Preludes” Op. 41 for solo piano by Lera Auerbach at the Music By Women Festival, Mississippi University for Women. From 2016-19, Elena was appointed Program Director for the NC Bach Festival, Inc., where she oversaw building the Youth Program and performing opportunities for young artists in North Carolina and beyond. Recently, Elena was invited to join World Piano Teachers Association (WPTA) and to preside over the USA NY-state chapter. As a passionate advocate for new music, Dr. Nezhdanova’s artistic collaborations with living composers resulted in many performances. Her commission for a large-scale sonata by composer Peter Learn, Univ. of Miami, Florida, “Sonata Hesperus” awaits its world premiere soon. 

An avid chamber musician, Elena is a co-founding member of the Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo (piano/cello). 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. 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). 

As an educator, Nezhdanova was commissioned to write a published review of Irina Gorin's “Tales of a Musical Journey” books (The Piano Magazine, 2017). She was a guest workshop clinician for North Carolina Music Teachers Association, taught masterclasses for The Piano League, Opus Ithaca School of Music, and East Tennessee State University. In Spring 2023, she will co-present and teach a masterclass for CNYAMT. Internationally, she co-presented for European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) in Guimarães, Portugal (Summer 2022); presented for professional piano teachers in Olomouc, Czech Republic and gave masterclasses at the North London Collegiate School in the U.K. Nezhdanova was appointed a Lecturer in Piano position at Hamilton College and is a staff pianist at Colgate University. Additionally, she teaches from her studio at home in Manlius, N.Y. and is on the faculty at Opus Ithaca School of Music.

Appointed to the Faculty

Educational Background

D.M.A., UNC-Greensboro
M.M., Ithaca College
B.M., Syracuse University