Janna Polyzoides is a classical pianist and music educator who has made a significant impact on the world of classical music. Born in Athens, Greece, in 1979, Polyzoides showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. She quickly demonstrated a natural talent for the instrument and began studying with some of the most respected teachers in Greece. Polyzoides continued her musical education at the Athens Conservatory, where she studied under the renowned pianist and pedagogue, Maria Asteriadou. She also attended masterclasses with some of the world's most celebrated pianists, including Murray Perahia, Leon Fleisher, and András Schiff. In 2001, Polyzoides moved to the United States to pursue further studies at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. There, she studied with the acclaimed pianist and teacher, Wha Kyung Byun, and earned a Master of Music degree in piano performance. Polyzoides has since established herself as a highly sought-after performer and educator. She has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Berlin Philharmonic. She has also collaborated with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Greece. Polyzoides has won numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. In 2003, she was awarded the prestigious George Seferis Scholarship from the Onassis Foundation, which allowed her to continue her studies in the United States. She has also been a recipient of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Tanglewood Music Center Fellowship and the New England Conservatory's John Cage Award for Contemporary Music. In addition to her performing career, Polyzoides is also a dedicated music educator. She has taught at several institutions, including the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, the Longy School of Music, and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She is currently a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she teaches piano and chamber music. Polyzoides is known for her passionate and expressive performances, which have been praised for their technical precision and emotional depth. She has a particular affinity for the music of the Romantic era, and her interpretations of works by composers such as Chopin, Schumann, and Liszt have been widely acclaimed. In recent years, Polyzoides has also become known for her advocacy of contemporary music. She has premiered works by several living composers, including John Harbison, Augusta Read Thomas, and Michael Gandolfi. She has also collaborated with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, a group dedicated to the performance of contemporary classical music. Polyzoides continues to be an active performer and educator, and her contributions to the world of classical music are widely recognized and celebrated. Her passion for music and dedication to her craft have made her a beloved figure in the classical music community, and she is sure to continue making an impact for many years to come.

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