Elaine Greenfield was born on May 12, 1950, in New York City. She grew up in a family that valued music and the arts, and she began playing the piano at a young age. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue music as a career. Greenfield attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied piano under the renowned teacher Rosina Lhevinne. She also studied chamber music with Felix Galimir and participated in master classes with pianists such as Vladimir Horowitz and Rudolf Serkin. After graduating from Juilliard, Greenfield began performing as a soloist and chamber musician. She quickly gained a reputation for her technical skill and musical sensitivity, and she was invited to perform with some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles. One of Greenfield's most memorable performances was her debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1975. She played Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, and her performance was widely praised for its elegance and grace. She went on to perform with the Philharmonic several more times over the course of her career. In addition to her work as a soloist, Greenfield was also a dedicated chamber musician. She was a founding member of the Greenfield Quartet, which was known for its innovative programming and virtuosic performances. The quartet performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and it recorded several critically acclaimed albums. Greenfield was also a passionate advocate for contemporary music. She worked closely with many composers, including John Adams, Philip Glass, and Steve Reich, and she premiered numerous works by these and other composers. She was particularly interested in the intersection of classical music and other genres, and she collaborated with jazz musicians, rock bands, and even hip-hop artists. Throughout her career, Greenfield received numerous awards and honors. She was a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which is awarded annually to outstanding young musicians. She was also a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as the "genius grant," which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their field. In addition to her performing career, Greenfield was also a respected teacher and mentor. She taught at several universities and conservatories, including the Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory of Music, and the University of California, Berkeley. She was known for her rigorous but supportive teaching style, and many of her students went on to successful careers in music. Greenfield continued to perform and teach until her death in 2015. She was widely regarded as one of the most talented and influential classical musicians of her generation, and her legacy continues to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

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