Education
Natalia Efremova received her B.M. and M.M. in Piano Performance, Chamber Ensemble, Accompaniment, and Piano Pedagogy from Kyrgyz State Conservatory (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Former USSR) and her D.M.A. in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the Ural Mussorgsky State Conservatory (Yekaterinburg).
As a Performer
Natalia’s international career spans more than four decades. A laureate of numerous competitions and recipient of the International Award for Best Performance of Contemporary Music for Central Asia and Kazakhstan, she has performed extensively across Asia, Europe, and the United States as soloist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist with orchestras in the US and former USSR. As a lecturer and advocate for contemporary music, Natalia has premiered works by American and international composers in Europe, Asia, and the USA. Her performance activity also extends to community engagement, including performances in faculty recitals, chamber ensembles, and benefit concerts/fundraising events.
As a Teacher
Natalia has over three decades of teaching experience, working with students across a wide range of ages and levels. She currently serves on the Piano Faculty at the Peabody Preparatory. Before joining Peabody, she founded and directed a private piano studio in Albuquerque and Los Alamos, New Mexico, where she developed curriculum, organized summer music camps, prepared students for competitions, and managed faculty. Earlier in her career, she held a graduate assistantship at the State University of New York at Potsdam, providing private instruction and accompaniment, and taught on the piano faculty of the Kyrgyz State Musical College in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
At Levine
Natalia has been on the Levine Piano Faculty since the fall of 2009. Additionally, she teaches group classes and ensembles, including the Levine Honors Chamber Ensemble and group performance classes for adults and youth.
“Levine is a wonderful place to teach. It’s full of bright professionals and talented students. The school never stands still, and its programs are alive and constantly developing. Over my many years teaching here, the school has become a place that I cherish and love.”
Teaching Philosophy and Approach
“I teach as if every student of mine has the potential to become a concert pianist. Whether they eventually choose to or not is secondary. The goal is to give them the tools, discipline, and understanding to engage with music as a true art form.”
More About Natalia
Learn more about Natalia on her website.