Olga Watts was born on May 12, 1985, in Moscow, Russia. She was born into a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a violinist. From a young age, Olga showed a keen interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of four. Olga's talent for music was evident from an early age, and she quickly progressed in her piano studies. By the age of eight, she had already won several local competitions and had begun performing in public. Her parents recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. At the age of ten, Olga was accepted into the prestigious Moscow Conservatory, where she studied under the guidance of renowned pianist and teacher, Vladimir Tropp. Under Tropp's tutelage, Olga's skills as a pianist flourished, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most promising young pianists in Russia. In 2001, Olga won first prize in the International Piano Competition in Moscow, which marked a turning point in her career. The win brought her international recognition and opened up new opportunities for her to perform on some of the world's most prestigious stages. Over the next few years, Olga continued to build her reputation as a world-class pianist, performing in concerts and recitals across Europe and Asia. In 2005, she was invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where she received a standing ovation for her performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. In 2007, Olga moved to the United States to further her studies at the Juilliard School in New York City. While at Juilliard, she studied under the guidance of renowned pianist and teacher, Emanuel Ax. Under Ax's tutelage, Olga's skills as a pianist continued to grow, and she began to develop her own unique style and interpretation of classical music. In 2010, Olga won first prize in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, which is one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world. The win brought her international recognition and cemented her status as one of the world's leading pianists. Since winning the Van Cliburn competition, Olga has continued to perform in concerts and recitals across the world. She has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. In addition to her performing career, Olga is also a dedicated teacher and mentor to young musicians. She has taught masterclasses at some of the world's leading music schools, including the Juilliard School and the Moscow Conservatory. Throughout her career, Olga has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to classical music. In 2015, she was awarded the Order of Friendship by the Russian government for her contributions to Russian culture. She has also been awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Gilmore Artist Award, which are two of the most prestigious awards in classical music. In conclusion, Olga Watts is one of the most talented and accomplished pianists of her generation. Her dedication to her craft and her passion for classical music have made her a beloved figure in the world of classical music. Her performances continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world, and her legacy as a musician and teacher will continue to inspire future generations of musicians for years to come.

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