Elena Leonova-Kozlov

Founder and Artistic Director of New York Piano Society, pianist Elena Leonova emigrated from the Soviet Union, where she graduated from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory as a “grandstudent” of the great Heinrich Neuhaus, teacher of Richter, Gilels, and her pedagogue Eugeny Malinin. Critically acclaimed by major press and the first prize winner in several American piano competitions, Ms. Leonova has appeared throughout the U.S. and abroad in recitals and as a soloist with orchestras. She has performed under the direction of Lucas Foss, Luis Herrera de la Fuente, Mehli Mehta, and Eduardo Rahn, among others. She has performed at major venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Recital Hall, Kaufman Hall at New York’s 92nd Street Y, and in major halls in Los Angeles, Rome, and Mexico City. Ms. Leonova has served as a juror at numerous international piano competitions and is a member of the piano faculty of Cremona International Music Academy in Italy and Orford Music Festival in Canada. She has also performed and given master classes at international music festivals in Italy, Canada, Germany, the U.S., and at the Festival Philharmonica de las Americas in Mexico. Ms. Leonova’s performances were often broadcasted by RAI Channel One in Rome, KFAC in Los Angeles, WQXR and WNYC in New York, as well as by the National Television of Mexico, Venezuela, and Italy. She was invited to the Gracie Mansion for a special performance for the Mayor of New York. Due to a severe pedestrian accident resulting in nerve damage in the hand, Elena Leonova’s concert career was interrupted and shifted to a concentration on teaching. Elena Leonova is currently on the piano faculty of Mannes The New School for Music (New School University). Her past teaching credits include positions at the New England Conservatory, SUNY Purchase, Rowan University, and in collaboration with New York University.

"MISS LEONOVA demonstrates dashing virtuosity, big ripe tone and sweeping dramatic power that allows the climactic moments to register with commanding authority and a maximum amount of visceral impact.”

- The New York Times