Xenia Pestova is a renowned classical music artist who has made a name for herself as a pianist, educator, and researcher. Born in Moscow, Russia, in 1978, Pestova grew up in Latvia, where she began her musical training at the age of six. She showed exceptional talent from an early age and went on to study at the Latvian Academy of Music, where she earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance. After completing her studies in Latvia, Pestova moved to Canada to pursue further education. She enrolled in the University of Victoria, where she earned a Doctorate in Music, specializing in contemporary piano performance. During her time in Canada, Pestova also became involved in the local music scene, performing with various ensembles and collaborating with other musicians. Pestova's career as a classical music artist took off in the early 2000s, when she began performing internationally. She quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and innovative pianist, known for her ability to bring new life to contemporary classical music. Pestova has performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Barbican Centre in London, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. One of Pestova's most notable performances was her 2012 recital at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival in the UK. The festival is known for showcasing cutting-edge contemporary music, and Pestova's performance was no exception. She performed a program of works by living composers, including John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Alvin Lucier. The performance was widely praised for its technical skill and artistic vision, and it cemented Pestova's reputation as a leading interpreter of contemporary classical music. In addition to her work as a performer, Pestova is also an accomplished educator and researcher. She has taught at several universities, including the University of Nottingham in the UK and the University of Huddersfield in the UK. Pestova is also a prolific writer, having published numerous articles and book chapters on contemporary classical music. Pestova's contributions to the world of classical music have not gone unnoticed. She has received several awards and honors throughout her career, including the prestigious Arts Foundation Fellowship in 2011. The fellowship is awarded to artists who have made significant contributions to their field, and Pestova was recognized for her work in promoting contemporary classical music. In addition to her fellowship, Pestova has also received several grants and awards for her research and performance work. She was awarded a Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship in 2014, which allowed her to conduct research on the history of the piano in contemporary classical music. Pestova has also received grants from organizations such as the Canada Council for the Arts and the Arts Council of England. Despite her many accomplishments, Pestova remains committed to pushing the boundaries of classical music. She continues to perform and record contemporary classical music, and she is always looking for new ways to engage audiences and promote the genre. Pestova's passion for her art is evident in everything she does, and she is sure to remain a leading figure in the world of classical music for years to come.

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