Katya Apekisheva is a renowned classical pianist who has captivated audiences around the world with her virtuosic performances and deep musicality. Born in Moscow, Russia, in 1970, Apekisheva began playing the piano at the age of five and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. She studied at the Gnessin School of Music in Moscow, where she was mentored by some of the most distinguished pianists in Russia. In 1990, Apekisheva moved to London to continue her studies at the Royal College of Music, where she studied with Irina Zaritskaya and won numerous awards for her performances. She also studied with Maria João Pires in Portugal and with Christopher Elton in London. Apekisheva's career as a concert pianist began to take off in the early 2000s, when she won several major international competitions, including the Scottish International Piano Competition and the Aram Khachaturian International Piano Competition. She also performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including the Wigmore Hall in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Carnegie Hall in New York. One of Apekisheva's most notable performances was her debut at the BBC Proms in 2005, where she performed Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and technical brilliance, and it helped to establish Apekisheva as one of the leading pianists of her generation. Apekisheva has also collaborated with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. She has worked with some of the most distinguished conductors of our time, including Vladimir Jurowski, Sir Mark Elder, and Valery Gergiev. In addition to her work as a soloist and chamber musician, Apekisheva is also a dedicated teacher and mentor. She has taught at the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and she has given masterclasses around the world. Apekisheva's repertoire is wide-ranging and includes works by some of the greatest composers in the classical tradition, including Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Prokofiev. She is particularly known for her interpretations of Russian music, and she has recorded several albums of works by Russian composers, including Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, and Shostakovich. Throughout her career, Apekisheva has received numerous awards and accolades for her performances and recordings. In 2012, she was awarded the prestigious Diapason d'Or for her recording of Shostakovich's Preludes and Fugues, and in 2016, she was awarded the London Music Masters Award for her work as a mentor and advocate for young musicians. Despite her many achievements, Apekisheva remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She continues to perform around the world and to inspire audiences with her passion and artistry.

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