About

Well-known Russian-Australian pianist Natasha Vlassenko was a major prize winner at the Beethoven International Piano Competition in Vienna, Austria, and the Busoni International Piano Competition in Bolzano, Italy. Following these achievements, she was invited to become a soloist with the Moscow Philharmonic—one of the most prestigious concert organizations in the Soviet Union. Since then, she has given numerous recitals and performed with major symphony orchestras under the batons of conductors such as Rozhdestvensky, Pletnev, Osterriher, Martin, Chivjel, Hickok, Verbitsky, and many others.

Natasha has recorded for Moscow Radio and Television, as well as for ABC and 4MBS Classic FM in Australia. She has also released several CDs in Russia, Germany, and Australia. Her concert engagements have taken her to Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Estonia, Belarus,Ukraine, Latvia, Georgia, China, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.

In addition to her solo career, Natasha Vlassenko frequently collaborated with Oleg Stepanov. For many years, their piano duo has delighted audiences both in Australia and internationally.

Her teaching career began when she was invited to join the faculty of the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory. She has since given masterclasses in numerous countries, including Germany, Austria, Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand. She has also been invited to perform and teach at the Hamamatsu International Piano Academy in Japan. In recent years, she has served as a jury member for several prestigious international piano competitions, including the Beethoven International Piano Competition in Vienna, the Dublin International Piano Competition in Ireland, the Chopin International Piano Competition in Canberra, Australia, and the Kerikeri International Piano Competition in New Zealand.

Born and educated in Moscow, Natasha Vlassenko graduated from the Central Music School and the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. She began her piano studies with Eleonora Musaelian before being accepted into the class of the legendary professor Jacob Flier. After his passing, she completed her postgraduate studies under the guidance of her father, Professor Lev Vlassenko.

Since 1992, Natasha Vlassenko has resided in Australia, where she served as Head of Piano at the Queensland Conservatorium for almost 20 years. Many of her students have gone on to win major national and international piano competitions and scholarships.

One of her most distinguished students, Lance Coburn won  the First Prize in Tomassoni International Piano Competition in Cologne, Germany and later was invited to join the full time staff at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin, Ireland, where he enjoys his performance and teaching career. Lance Coburn has performed with most of the major Australian orchestras, as well as with numerous international ensembles such as the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and the WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln.

One of Natasha’s most recent teaching successes is her student, Reuben Tsang, who was named Best Australian Pianist at the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition. He was later invited to give recital tours across Australia. In 2024, Reuben went on to win both First Prize and the Audience Prize at the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition. As a result, he was invited to perform with both Melbourne and Queensland Symphony orchestras.

In 1999, Natasha Vlassenko and Oleg Stepanov founded and became Artistic Directors of the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition, which has become Australia’s largest national piano event. Over the years, the competition has expanded to include the Young Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition and, more recently, the Australian National Piano Competition for children, also known as “Little Lev.” These competitions, along with substantial educational programs, have formed the Lev Vlassenko Piano Academy and Festival. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition attracts the finest young pianists from Australia and New Zealand, ranging in age from 6 to 30, and has played a vital role in raising the standard of piano playing in the region. Many past prize winners and participants have gone on to achieve remarkable success, including winning major prizes at international piano competitions and festivals.

In 2022, Natasha Vlassenko and Oleg Stepanov were recognized in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for their service to the performing arts, particularly piano.