Aizhana Nurkenova Piano   

Aizhana Nurkenova is a gifted pianist and composer who combines rich musicality with masterful technique and alluring stage presence. She is the Hodgson Fellow for Piano at the Royal Academy of Music and a piano soloist at the Kazakh National Philharmonia where she opened the 2010-2011 season with a sold-out performance. Described as "magical" with "unusual rhythmic vitality and richness of sound," Aizhana's recent performances include solo recitals in the UK, Italy and Kazakhstan and chamber recitals at the Royal Festival Hall in London and the Julliard School in New York City. Her composition works have been recorded on CD and broadcasted on the radio and television.

Born in Kazakhstan, Aizhana was only seven years old when her mother discovered her composing at the piano. At the age of twelve, Aizhana already performed with the national chamber and symphony orchestras. After graduating from the International School of Chamber Music (Italy) founded by the legendary Trio di Trieste, Aizhana was invited to study piano performance at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Under the guidance of one of Europe's finest pianists Professor Hamish Milne, Aizhana achieved First Class Honours and Distinction in Bachelor's and Master's Degrees.

Aizhana participated in master classes with some of the world's most prominent musicians including Richard Goode, Lilia Zilberstein, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Boris Petrushansky and Boris Berman. The winner of national and international piano competitions, Aizhana was awarded numerous prizes including Leslie England Prize, Vivian Languish Prize and Mrs Doris Ethel Blake Prize. She is also a recipient of the Musicians Benevolent Fund Award, the Gilling Family Scholarship and the Winifred Christie Trust Award.

The winner of the Harriet Cohen and Samuel Harold J.S. Bach Prize from the Worshipful Company of Musicians, Aizhana is a devoted Bach performer who often gives recitals dedicated solely to Bach's piano works. As part of her work as the Hodgson Fellow, Aizhana will be presenting a series of solo concerts featuring the complete English Suites by J.S. Bach as well as performing major chamber works by J. Brahms for the Brahms Festival.

As a composer Aizhana has always been interested in film music. In addition to her chamber and piano composition works, Aizhana has produced a number of soundtracks for short films.