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Elena Riu is a renowned classical pianist and music educator, known for her innovative approach to contemporary music and her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the arts. Born in London in 1963, Riu grew up in a family of musicians and began playing the piano at a young age. She studied at the Royal College of Music and later at the Juilliard School in New York, where she earned a Master of Music degree. Riu's career as a performer began in the 1980s, when she gained recognition for her interpretations of the works of contemporary composers such as John Cage, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass. She was particularly interested in exploring the intersections between classical music and other genres, such as jazz, world music, and electronic music. Her performances often incorporated multimedia elements, such as video projections and live electronics, and she collaborated with artists from a wide range of disciplines. One of Riu's most notable early performances was her 1989 recital at the Southbank Centre in London, which featured works by Cage, Reich, and Glass, as well as pieces by the British composer Michael Nyman. The concert was praised for its bold programming and Riu's virtuosic playing, and it helped establish her as a leading interpreter of contemporary music. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Riu continued to perform and record extensively, both as a soloist and as a member of various ensembles. She collaborated with many of the world's leading composers, including Arvo Pärt, György Ligeti, and Terry Riley, and premiered numerous new works written specifically for her. She also became known for her advocacy of music education, and worked with organizations such as the British Council and the Royal Philharmonic Society to promote music in schools and communities. In 2008, Riu founded the Piano Project, a non-profit organization that provides music education and performance opportunities to young people from diverse backgrounds. The project has since expanded to include workshops, masterclasses, and concerts in countries around the world, and has helped to launch the careers of many talented young musicians. In recent years, Riu has continued to push the boundaries of classical music, exploring new forms of expression and collaboration. She has worked with choreographers, visual artists, and filmmakers to create multimedia performances that blur the lines between music, dance, and visual art. She has also continued to champion the works of contemporary composers, commissioning new pieces and performing them in venues around the world. Riu's contributions to the world of classical music have been widely recognized, and she has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1995, she was awarded the prestigious Kranichsteiner Musikpreis by the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music, and in 2002 she was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She has also been awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, the Medal of Honor of the City of Paris, and the Medal of Honor of the City of Madrid. Despite her many accomplishments, Riu remains committed to using music as a tool for social change and cultural exchange. She continues to work with young musicians from around the world, and to promote the importance of music education and diversity in the arts.

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