New York Piano Society

presents

Gala Benefit Concert Featuring performances by outstanding NYPS pianists, who are professionals in fields other than music

Distinguished Guest Artists Seymour Bernstein, piano & Roberto Cani, violin

Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall 154 W. 57th St., New York, NY

Elena Leonova Maestro James Levine Founder and Artistic Director Honorary Artistic Advisor

NYPS celebrates the 90th birthday of legendary musician, Seymour Bernstein Works by Chopin, Schubert, Liszt, Paganini, Ravel & more. Tickets: $100, $75, $60 carnegiehall.org | CarnegieCharge 212-247-7800 | Box Office at 57th and 7th Ave. For additional information, visit nypianosociety.org About New York Piano Society

The New York Piano Society, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing pianists across diverse professions with opportunities to become, and

perform alongside, distinguished artists.

Founded in 2005 by pianist Elena Leonova, NYPS presents outstanding pianists from diverse professions (doctors, lawyers, architects, policemen) and cultivates their musical development through public recitals. Because our pianists meet professional standards, they are frequently joined on stage by celebrated instrumentalists, singers and orchestras. Special Guest Artists

SEYMOUR BERNSTEIN Legendary educator, author, pianist and composer. "Seymour Bernstein Triumphs at the Piano” (The New York Times)

NYPS solutes Bernstein in celebration of his 90th birthday.

ROBERTO CANI Internationally acclaimed concert violinist, winner of the prestigious Paganini competition, and current Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra. Our Artistic Director

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.