Press & recognition

What has been written about my playing

Every quote below is from the publication named, and every link was checked before it went on this page. Where a paper’s archive has gone offline the quote stands without a link rather than pointing at nothing.

In the press

“Music is language, and language is music,” she said. “They reflect history, traditions, beliefs. It helps us open our minds to new ideas, new ways of looking at the world.”

Feature: Las Vegas musician began playing piano at 5 — in Siberia

Las Vegas Review-Journal · 2019
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“Dr. Maria (Masha) Pisarenko is actively involved in the cultural life … as a performer, educator and artistic director. She has performed on some of the most prestigious stages of the world, including in Russia, Asia, Europe, and the United States.”

Clark County, Nevada · 2019
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“The Siberian-born artist has performed throughout Europe, and has won various competitions before coming to the United States. She has been a featured performer on Nevada Public Radio and a guest soloist with numerous orchestras.”

Salt Lake Tribune
Print archive — no live link

“With a career that began with international acclaim at a young age and has continued to be successful … a mature, highly experienced performing artist, [she] is an individual that can render the sincere emotion and deep feelings of the composers.”

Southern Utah University
Print archive — no live link

Pianist Maria Pisarenko wins Reno Chamber Orchestra College Concerto Competition — the prize was to appear as featured soloist with the orchestra.

This Is Reno · 2010
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“Siberian-born Pisarenko trained at the Russian Academy of Music and performed in Europe before moving to the States.”

Intimate, masterful and free

Las Vegas Sun · 2008
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Russian Seasons to perform next month — a program of Russian chamber and vocal music she presented and played.

Las Vegas Review-Journal · 2019
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Radio and television

Nevada Public Radio (88.9 KNPR)

Interview — November 2012, and again November 2009

Reno Public Radio (KUNR FM)

Interview — February 2010; Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 with the Reno Chamber Orchestra, broadcast March 2010

Channel One Russia

National television — performance and interview at the First International Tchaikovsky Youth Competition

Radio of Russia, Irkutsk

Interviews — 2016 and 2004

Angarsk Radio

Interview

Vesti Irkutsk

Solo recital at the Irkutsk Philharmonic, and Grieg’s Piano Concerto with the Irkutsk Philharmonic Orchestra — broadcast, with interview

Prizes, awards and teaching

International competitions

  • 2nd Prize — International Piano Competition in Memory of Sviatoslav Richter, Paris
  • 2nd Prize — Frédéric Chopin International Competition, Rome
  • First International Tchaikovsky Youth Competition, Moscow
  • Winner — Reno Chamber Orchestra College Concerto Competition
  • Winner — UNLV Concerto Competition

Teaching and recognition

  • Steinway Top Teacher Award
  • Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society — “In recognition of your graciously sharing your musical artistry”
  • University faculty — College of Southern Nevada and Southern Utah University
  • I prepare students for ABRSM (levels 1–8 and the ARSM, LRSM and FRSM diplomas), Trinity College London, the Royal Conservatory of Music, London College of Music and the AMEB, and for conservatory entrance examinations

The full account of my training — the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory, the Gnessins Academy, the doctorate, and the teaching line that runs back to Liszt — is on the about page.

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