Millar Elena

About

Elena Millar, born Elena Sergeyevna Lebedeva, grew up in the city of Chisinau, in Moldova, a former country of the Soviet Union, located between Romania and Ukraine, with the Black Sea to the south. From a young age, Elena had a special interest in the arts. She loves poetry and reads great novels by authors from all over the world. Her love for the arts led her to want to learn more about classical literature. She began to have a great passion for opera, which led her to the theater to see many great performances in her childhood. At the age of 6, she became very interested in playing the piano, but it wasn't until she was 9 that her family was able to get her a piano she could call her own. She began her classical piano studies at the Polyakov Children's Music School, under the guidance of teacher and head of the piano department Tatiana Sergeyevna, for 5 years. Elena then continued at the Rahmaninov College of Music, where she completed another 6 years of study in 2 departments simultaneously and obtained diplomas in Classical Piano Solo Performance and Music Theory. After graduating from the Rachmaninoff Music College, Elena continued her higher education by enrolling at the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts of Moldova, where she studied for the next 4 years under the guidance of professor and resident artist Alona Vardanean. Elena graduated with honors in 2008, earning a degree in solo classical piano performance, teaching, and accompaniment. During her postgraduate studies, Elena simultaneously worked at the Moldova Choreography College for 4 years as the principal accompanist for the Ballet. She participated in numerous piano competitions, including many national contests, where she received a wide range of awards. She took part in many solo performances, as well as performances as an accompanist for opera singers and chamber musicians. Shortly after graduating in 2008, Elena immigrated to the United States. Since then, she has performed as a soloist and participated in duo performances with numerous opera singers and classical musicians. She has performed in several events with the Harrisburg Capitol Opera, one of which included three performances of the opera Samson and Delilah, performing the orchestral score on the piano. Elena made her highly successful American debut as a solo artist in a concert with the Hershey Symphony Orchestra at the opening of the 2010-2011 season, performing Mozart's Concerto No. 13 in C major, under the baton of conductor Sandra Dackow. The memorable concert concluded with 3 standing ovations in a sold-out Hershey Theatre and was considered by many to be one of their best concerts. Elena continues to perform and has recorded several CDs. She teaches piano to a wide range of students interested in learning classical music. Each year, she organizes recitals for her students, giving them the opportunity and experience to perform on stage in front of a live audience. Several of Elena's students have been named finalists in young artist competitions, and she continues to hone her students' skills at all levels.