FainA Lushtak

Faina Lushtak was born and raised in the Soviet Union. A child prodigy, she began her piano and composition studies at the age of six. She earned degrees in piano performance and composition at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and became a faculty member at the Conservatory. In 1978, she immigrated to the United States. Her performances have earned widespread critical acclaim. Reviewing her debut at Alice Tully Hall, The New York Times, wrote: "The qualities she prizes most are clarity of line and transparency of texture." Fanfare Magazine described her "vibrant, dynamic readings, delicate expressiveness and a dazzling virtuosity." The Times-Picayune wrote that "her technique is sure and ample. Her tone varies from a beautiful, singing lyricism to a more matter-of-fact solidity."

Ms. Lushtak has performed with numerous symphony orchestras throughout the United States and Europe, as well as making frequent guest artist appearances and conducting master classes at university campuses. She has also performed as guest artist at festivals, including the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in Salt Lake City and the Pro Mozart Society in Atlanta. She has been a judge at the New Orleans International Piano Competition, the Wideman International Piano Competition, the Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition, the Eastman Young Artists International Piano Competition, the Cleveland International Piano Competition and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition.

Ms. Lushtak is the Downman Professor of Music at the Newcomb Music Department of Tulane University, where she heads the piano division. She is on the faculty of the Orfeo International Music Festival in Italy. She is a Steinway Artist. Ms. Lushtak’s performances of works by Rachmaninoff, Scriabin and Chopin have been recorded on the Centaur label. Her compositions for piano, chamber music groups, voice and violin have been published in the U.S., the United Kingdom and the former Soviet Union.