Inara Zandmane is a Latvian-born classical pianist who has established herself as a prominent figure in the world of classical music. Born in Riga, Latvia, in 1972, Zandmane began playing the piano at the age of six. She showed a natural talent for the instrument and quickly became a student at the Emils Darzins Music School in Riga. Zandmane continued her studies at the Latvian Academy of Music, where she earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance. During her time at the academy, she studied under the guidance of renowned pianist and pedagogue, Professor Arnis Zandmanis, who would later become her husband. After completing her studies, Zandmane began performing extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. She quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and versatile pianist, capable of performing a wide range of repertoire with precision and nuance. One of Zandmane's most notable performances came in 1999, when she won the Latvian National Piano Competition. This victory helped to launch her career and led to numerous other performance opportunities throughout Europe. In 2001, Zandmane moved to the United States to pursue further studies at the University of North Texas. There, she earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance, studying under the guidance of renowned pianist and pedagogue, Joseph Banowetz. During her time at the University of North Texas, Zandmane also served as a teaching assistant and performed extensively throughout the United States. She was a frequent guest artist at music festivals and concert series, and she also performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras. One of Zandmane's most notable performances in the United States came in 2004, when she performed as a soloist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She received critical acclaim for her performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, and the concert was hailed as a major success. Zandmane has also been recognized for her work as a chamber musician. She has collaborated with numerous musicians and ensembles, including the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Chamber Symphony. In addition to her performing career, Zandmane is also an accomplished educator. She has served on the faculty of several universities, including the University of North Texas, the University of Memphis, and the University of Evansville. She is currently a professor of piano at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music. Throughout her career, Zandmane has received numerous awards and honors. In addition to her victory at the Latvian National Piano Competition, she has also been a finalist in several other international piano competitions, including the Maria Canals International Piano Competition in Barcelona and the San Antonio International Piano Competition. Zandmane has also been recognized for her contributions to the field of music education. In 2015, she was awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award by the Colorado State Music Teachers Association, and in 2016, she was named the Teacher of the Year by the Lamont School of Music. Today, Inara Zandmane continues to perform, teach, and inspire audiences around the world. Her dedication to the art of piano performance and her commitment to music education have made her a beloved figure in the classical music community.

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