Pianist Polina Bespalko will present a concert at 8 p.m. on Monday, March 13 in the Presser Hall. Bespalko will perform pieces from Bach, Liszt, Schubert and Tchaikovsky. The concert is free and open to the public.

Described as an “amazing virtuoso” by the world renowned Nikolai Petrov and having a “complex, vigorous and demanding energetic attitude at the piano” by Brazilian newspaper Correio Brasilense, Bespalko is rapidly establishing herself as one of piano’s brightest stars.

Bespalko began her performance career at the age of eight. Throughout her years at the Moscow Central Music school she appeared regularly in the most prestigious venues in Russia - including performances in Bolshoi Hall and for the Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II at the age of 13. Her career continued after her acceptance to the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, where she was personally requested by the Minister of Culture to perform in every major cultural center in the region.

Bespalko made her American debut in 1998 as an honored member of the Russian-U.S. Cultural Music Exchange.  This launched a period of performances in the United States.

Bespalko currently serves on the piano faculty of Xavier University in Cincinnati, while also serving as the director of the Xavier University Music Series