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Oksana Sowiak is a Ukrainian-born classical pianist who has gained international recognition for her virtuosic performances and passionate interpretations of classical repertoire. Born in Lviv, Ukraine in 1985, Sowiak began playing the piano at the age of six and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. She received her early musical education at the Lviv Music School for Gifted Children, where she studied with renowned Ukrainian pianist and pedagogue, Natalia Tolpygo. In 2003, Sowiak moved to the United States to continue her musical studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland. There, she studied with renowned pianist and pedagogue, Leon Fleisher, and earned her Bachelor of Music degree in 2007. She went on to pursue her Master of Music degree at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky and earned her degree in 2009. Throughout her studies, Sowiak received numerous awards and accolades for her performances. In 2005, she won first prize in the Baltimore Music Club Competition and was a finalist in the William Kapell International Piano Competition. In 2006, she won first prize in the Peabody Conservatory Piano Competition and was a finalist in the Hilton Head International Piano Competition. In 2008, she won first prize in the Juilliard School Concerto Competition and was a finalist in the International Russian Music Piano Competition. Sowiak has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, appearing as a soloist with orchestras such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, and the Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also given recitals at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. One of Sowiak's most notable performances was her debut recital at Carnegie Hall in 2010, which was met with critical acclaim. The New York Times praised her "impressive technique and musicality" and noted that "her playing was marked by a sense of poetry and a deep understanding of the music." Sowiak has also been praised for her interpretations of the music of Frederic Chopin, a composer who holds a special place in her heart as a fellow Pole. In addition to her performing career, Sowiak is also a dedicated teacher and has served on the faculty of the Peabody Preparatory School and the Baltimore School for the Arts. She has also given masterclasses at institutions such as the Moscow Conservatory and the Royal Academy of Music in London. Sowiak's recordings include a solo album of works by Chopin, which was released in 2012 to critical acclaim. The album features Sowiak's interpretations of some of Chopin's most beloved works, including the Ballade No. 1 in G minor and the Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor. Sowiak's playing on the album has been praised for its "sensitivity, nuance, and technical brilliance." In recognition of her achievements, Sowiak has received numerous awards and honors. In 2011, she was awarded the prestigious Arthur Rubinstein Prize by the Rubinstein Society in Poland, which recognizes outstanding young pianists who demonstrate exceptional talent and promise. She was also named a Steinway Artist in 2012, joining a select group of pianists who are recognized for their excellence in performance and dedication to the art of the piano.

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