Boulder Musical Echo in New York

Elena Smirnova came to Boulder when she was five, and since this early age she began exploring her gifts for the performance arts. One of her artistic interests was dancing ballet with Boulder Ballet Expressions and later with the Boulder Ballet Company at many community events. Another was playing tunes on her grandmother’s grand piano in Alaska during the summers. At age nine she finally got her first upright piano and her love for the instrument’s singing tone became very apparent. After graduating from Boulder High in 2004 she attended CU-Boulder for her Bachelor’s of Music Degree studying piano with Professor David Korevaar. As an undergrad, she also attended Music in the Mountains in Durango and the Aspen Music Festival and School. She is very grateful to have received scholarship and generous support during her studies at CU from Boulder’s music lovers Frank and Gina Day, Paul and Jane Baryames, and Aspen’s Linda Herbst. In May 2008, Elena graduated from CU with Highest Honors, and that same year she became a First Prize Winner in the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, and went on to give her debut recital at Carnegie Hall May 18, 2008. Currently, she is a graduate degree candidate studying in New York City at Manhattan School of Music with renowned pedagogue and concert pianist James Tocco. She has an upcoming performance in Carnegie Hall on March 30, 2009 for the Second Annual ABC Gala Concert, where she will be featured among other winners of the Bradshaw and Buono Piano and Voice Competitions, as well as the directors of the competition, Mr. Cosmo Buono and Mr. Barry Alexander. This is a benefit concert in which all of the proceeds will go to the ABC foundation, which helps launch careers of students completing musical studies, as well as emerging artists. For more information about the ABC Gala Concert or donations to the ABC foundation please visit: www.abcompetitions.com