Elizabeth Pridgen is a renowned classical pianist who has captivated audiences around the world with her virtuosic performances and deep musicality. Born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1972, Pridgen showed an early aptitude for music and began studying piano at the age of four. She quickly demonstrated a natural talent for the instrument, and by the time she was a teenager, she had already won numerous competitions and performed with several orchestras. Pridgen's musical education was extensive and varied. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she studied with renowned pianist Nelita True. She then went on to earn her Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky. Pridgen also spent time studying in Europe, where she worked with some of the world's most esteemed pianists, including Leon Fleisher and Andras Schiff. Throughout her career, Pridgen has been recognized for her exceptional talent and artistry. She has won numerous awards and competitions, including the prestigious Naumburg International Piano Competition in 1990. She has also been a finalist in several other major competitions, including the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the Leeds International Piano Competition. Pridgen's performances have taken her to some of the world's most renowned concert halls and festivals. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Ravinia Festival, among many others. She has also been a featured soloist with some of the world's most esteemed orchestras, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. One of Pridgen's most notable performances was her debut with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 1993. She performed Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, a piece that is widely regarded as one of the most challenging works in the piano repertoire. Pridgen's performance was met with critical acclaim, and she was praised for her technical prowess and emotional depth. In addition to her work as a soloist, Pridgen is also an accomplished chamber musician. She has collaborated with some of the world's most esteemed musicians, including violinist Robert McDuffie and cellist Zuill Bailey. She is a founding member of the Georgian Chamber Players, a group that is dedicated to promoting classical music in the state of Georgia. Pridgen is also an esteemed educator. She has served on the faculty of several prestigious institutions, including the Juilliard School, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of British Columbia. She is currently the Director of Keyboard Studies at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Georgia. Throughout her career, Pridgen has remained committed to promoting classical music and inspiring the next generation of musicians. She has been involved in numerous outreach programs, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's "Musicians in Schools" program, which brings live classical music performances to students in underserved communities. In addition to her work as a performer and educator, Pridgen is also a dedicated philanthropist. She has been involved in numerous charitable organizations, including the Atlanta Music Project, which provides music education to underserved youth in Atlanta.

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