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Sophia Gilmson, piano
Sophia Gilmson, Russian-born pianist, has concertized extensively in Europe and the United States to a high critical acclaim. Carl Cunningham of The Houston Post described Gilmson's playing as a "...brilliant, driving performance." Michael Huebner, of the Austin American-Statesman, referred to her performance of Bach's Goldberg Variations as "one of the most refreshing and thought-provoking performances this season." In 2001, she was awarded the prestigious Mount Everest Award by the Austin Critics Table for this performance, in which she played the Goldberg Variations on harpsichord and piano in the same evening. Michael Barnes, chief arts critic of the Austin American-Statesman at that time, ranked this performance as one of the top ten arts events of 2001, calling it "unforgettable". In the celebration of its 20th anniversary, Austin's Performing Arts Center included this concert in the list of twenty most memorable programs of its history, one per year. Later, her studio recording of this performance received a Silver Medal from the Global Music Award. “I can now say that Sophia Gilmson has gone where no one has gone before…” Fanfare Magazine She is a recipient of numerous awards, among which are the First Prize in the Young Artists Competition in New York City, followed by a recital in Carnegie Hall, and the Piano International Recording Competition. Radio Leningrad, Radio Vatican, WQXR and WNYC in New York City, among others, broadcasted her performances.
Sophia Gilmson is a dedicated educator. Her students have won major prizes on state, national, and international levels. Her unique pedagogical skills are universally recognized at both pre-college and collegiate levels. She has received an array of excellence in teaching awards, including 2001 Collegiate Teaching Achievement Award of Texas. In 2023 she was inducted to the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame.
Sophia Gilmson is the co-founder of both Houston and Austin Young Artists Concerts, the programs designed for musically gifted children. Sophia has been an artistic director for both programs for twenty years since its inception in 1987 to 2007.
She presented papers, masterclasses and lectures at the World Piano Pedagogy and Music Teachers National Association Conferences as well as various international music festivals and conferences. She has been published in Keyboard Companion, official journal of the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy.
Sophia Gilmson graduated cum laude from the Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Conservatory in Russia, where she studied with a legendary Russian pianist Professor Vitaly Margulis. She is currently an Emeritus Professor at the University of Texas Butler School of Music.