Biography
Russian-born pianist Maria Yefimova has established herself internationally as a recitalist, chamber musician, and orchestra soloist, performing in Italy, Spain, England, Slovakia, Croatia, Russia, and the United States. She appeared in the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Moscow State Conservatory Hall, Steinway Hall, Teatro Puccini di Merano, and Slovak Philharmonic Hall.
Ms. Yefimova made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2004, with a critically acclaimed solo recital presented by Artists International, and was invited back for three consecutive re-engagements from 2007-2009. She will be returning to perform there again this season. Maria’s festival appearances include Velo Music Festival and Meranofest in Italy, Rachmaninoff Music Festival in Russia, and Water Island Music Festival in the US Virgin Islands.
Maria made her orchestral debut with the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.23, and subsequently has performed Prokofiev’s and Brahms’s Second Piano Concertos with the Tambov Philharmonic Orchestra. Last season Maria appeared with the William and Mary Symphony Orchestra performing Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto.
As an avid chamber musician Maria has collaborated with such artists as Dmitry Berlinsky, Eric Jacobsen, Joe Burgstaller, Cyrus Beroukhim, Julian Gargiulo, Elizabeth Brightbill, and Andrew Gabbert, among others. This season Maria will continue her collaboration with a flute/cello duo Terra Voce, and will perform as part of a newly created Atlantic Chamber Ensemble, with members of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra.
Often heard on TV and Radio broadcasts, Ms. Yefimova has appeared on the Bravo TV network, Slovak National Television, Paradise Radio in US Virgin Islands, and Tele Monte Orlando in Italy, to name a few. She was featured in a film documentary Women of Music, which aired on Bravo.
A competition prizewinner, Maria received awards from Artists International, the Five Towns Music & Art International Piano Competition, the Lillian Fuchs Chamber Music Competition, and the Kuznetsk Young Artists Piano Competition. She was awarded diplomas at the Hummel International Piano Competition and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition.
Ms. Yefimova graduated with honors from Moscow State Conservatory. She came to the United States on a full scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, where she earned both Master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees. Maria’s principal teachers include Arkady Aronov, Yury Slesarev, Nina Dunaeva, and Yelena Tatulian. She has participated in masterclasses with such renowned pedagogues as Claude Frank, Boris Berman, Sergio Perticaroli, Lev Natochenny, and Eugene Indjic.
Dr. Yefimova has taught applied piano at the Manhattan School of Music and is currently on the piano faculty of the College of William and Mary.