Natalya Shkoda is a Ukrainian-born classical pianist who has gained international recognition for her virtuosic performances and passionate interpretations of the classical repertoire. Born in Kiev in 1981, Shkoda began playing the piano at the age of five and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. She received her early musical education at the Lysenko Special Music School for Gifted Children in Kiev, where she studied with renowned pianist and pedagogue Valery Kozlov. In 1997, Shkoda moved to the United States to continue her studies at the Juilliard School in New York City. There, she studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky and earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance. During her time at Juilliard, Shkoda won numerous awards and competitions, including the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, and the New York Piano Competition. After completing her studies at Juilliard, Shkoda embarked on a successful career as a concert pianist, performing extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has appeared as a soloist with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. She has also collaborated with many of the world's most renowned conductors, including Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, and Valery Gergiev. Shkoda's repertoire is wide-ranging and includes works by many of the great composers of the classical tradition, from Bach and Mozart to Beethoven and Chopin. She is particularly known for her interpretations of the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff, and has been praised for her ability to capture the emotional depth and complexity of his music. In addition to her performing career, Shkoda is also a dedicated teacher and has served on the faculty of several prestigious music schools, including the Manhattan School of Music and the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. She is known for her passionate and insightful approach to teaching, and has mentored many young pianists who have gone on to successful careers in music. Throughout her career, Shkoda has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the world of classical music. In 2008, she was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians who show exceptional promise for a significant career in music. She has also been named a Steinway Artist, an honor bestowed upon only the most accomplished and distinguished pianists in the world. Despite her many accomplishments, Shkoda remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She continues to perform and teach, and is committed to sharing her love of classical music with audiences and students around the world. Her passion and dedication to her art have made her one of the most respected and admired pianists of her generation, and she is sure to continue to inspire and delight audiences for many years to come.

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