STANISLAV IOUDENITCH

Since winning gold at the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Stanislav Iodenitch has performed at major cultural centers around the world. An in-demand pedagogue whose students are top prizewinners and performers, he is the founder and artistic director of the International Center for Music at Park University. He is also the director of the Young Artists Music Academy (Kansas City), vice president of the Piano Academy at Lake Como, and associate professor of piano at Oberlin Conservatory. And his daughter Maria is now making waves of her own: an accomplished violinist, she had recently won several international competitions and secured a recording contract with Warner Classics.

Stasik will be back with us in two amazing ways this year: he’s a teaching artist for the 2023 Junior and is also performing two Cliburn Concerts (with his daughter!) next season. We took the opportunity to catch up with him:

CLIBURN: An extremely sought-after teacher, you’re joining us as a Teaching Artist for the Junior Competition and Festival in June. Can you tell us about your passion for teaching—how it developed and how it has evolved over time?

STASIK: I can recall that my journey as a teacher began to take shape during my high school years. Even then, I was eager to test my skills and share my knowledge with others. However, it wasn’t until 2003 that I fully committed to teaching as a full-time profession. In the early days, I must admit I was a bit of an idealist. I would challenge my students to strive for the ultimate version of a musical composition, pushing them to their limits. But as time went on and I gained more experience, my teaching approach evolved. I realized the importance of adapting to each student’s level and addressing their immediate needs and challenges. Nowadays, I am able to work with students at any level, tailoring my teaching methods to suit their individual abilities and circumstances. Whether it’s helping a beginner grasp the basics or guiding an advanced student through intricate musical techniques, my goal is to resolve immediate problems and foster growth based on the student’s current capabilities. Teaching has always been my passion, and it continues to evolve as I learn from my experiences and adapt to the needs of my students. I find immense joy in witnessing their progress and playing a role in their musical development.

CLIBURN: In fact, your students have had recent success at the Cliburn. What was that experience like, returning to Fort Worth to cheer on and advise them?

STASIK: Returning to Fort Worth to cheer on and advise my students at the Cliburn has been an incredible experience. It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to present my students at such a prestigious competition. Seeing their recent successes, like Kenny Broberg winning silver in 2017 and Ilya Shmukler making the finals last year, fills me with pride and joy.

I remember when I first heard Kenny at the audition for my studio at Park University. Even then, I saw his immense potential and believed that he had what it takes to win major competitions like the Cliburn and have a successful performing career. It was a pleasure for him to hear that from me, although he initially didn’t believe it. It is important as a teacher to recognize true talent in our students and help them mature while preserving their best qualities.

As for the competition experience itself, it can be quite nerve-wracking. I usually don’t attend the initial rounds, because I believe that students need to go beyond just doing what their teachers expect of them. They need to feel a sense of freedom and explore their own interpretations. However, I make sure to be there for the final round, in case my students make it that far. Sometimes, their performances can benefit from the support and guidance of their teacher during the grand finale, both psychologically and professionally. Witnessing my students’ remarkable achievements at the Cliburn brings me great satisfaction and reinforces my commitment to their future. I genuinely care about their development as musicians and seeing them succeed at such a high level is truly fulfilling.

CLIBURN: We know you currently hold a number of teaching positions. Can you fill us in on those different experiences?

STASIK: After winning the Cliburn, I had the opportunity to create a dream program at Park University. Teaching has always been my passion, and I wanted to develop a program that could greatly benefit the growth and development of talented individuals. International Center at Park University serves as a valuable base for already mature students, allowing them to further prepare for competitions and their professional journeys. This center provides an international perspective and fosters a supportive community for students pursuing their musical aspirations.

Initially, I had envisioned a smaller program, since my main focus was on my own musical performances. However, my path took an unexpected turn when I received a challenging medical diagnosis that forced me to stop playing full time. This change in circumstances provided me with more time, and I decided to join the faculty at Oberlin Conservatory. Founded in 1865, it is one of the oldest conservatories in the United States. In addition to my position at Oberlin, I am also currently teaching at the Reina Sofia School in Madrid, which is often called “European Curtis.” It follows a European-style approach to music education, emphasizing both technical excellence and artistic expression. The Reina Sofia School is not just an institution to me; it holds a deeply personal significance. Over 30 years ago, I had the incredible honor of being its very first student. Now, as the first former student to hold the esteemed piano chair, I feel a profound sense of pride and responsibility. Continuing the work of my dear Professor Dmitri Bashkirov is a privilege I hold close to my heart.

Overall, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach at these prestigious institutions, each with its own unique approach to music education. It has been a fulfilling experience to contribute to the growth and development of talented musicians and to play a role in shaping their musical journey.

CLIBURN: You’re also returning to Cliburn Concerts this fall—this time performing with your daughter, Maria! She’s a beautiful violinist. What role have you and your wife played in her musical development? At what point did you know she was going to pursue music professionally and what were your feelings about this? How much have you two collaborated in performance? What should the Fort Worth audiences look forward to?

STASIK: Regarding our daughter Maria’s musical development, her journey has been quite different from the traditional Russian approach. We wanted her to grow up as a normal child without undue pressure or expectations of being a child prodigy. She attended a fine non-musical school and had the freedom to explore various interests and career paths. However, she did start taking violin lessons at the age of 3. We believed it was important for her to have a musical foundation and appreciate the arts. When she turned 15, we had a conversation with her about making serious choices regarding her future. We wanted her to decide whether she wanted to pursue a professional musical career or explore other possibilities. It was at that point that she chose the violin and expressed her desire to pursue it professionally.

Maria applied and was accepted into the Curtis Institute of Music, which marked the beginning of her formal professional musical education. Later on, she continued her studies at the New England Conservatory. We are immensely grateful to her teachers, including Ben Sayevich, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Pamela Frank, and Miriam Fried, who played a significant role in her development as a musician.

I’ve been thrilled to witness Maria’s growth as a serious musician. I’ve observed her performances with a depth and a wide range of colors that demonstrate her maturity and musicality. Growing up in a family of musicians, she absorbed the “right” musical values and developed a genuine love for music that was not tainted by undue pressure.

Throughout her life, Maria has often performed with her mother, Tatiana, who has been more patient than me, as we share similar characters. However, it was not a planned decision for Maria and me to perform together until the Cliburn approached us with the idea. We found it to be a brilliant proposition and are truly grateful for the opportunity.

It was about time for us to collaborate musically, as we share a similar approach to music-making. Now, we can share our musical ideas and create something together. Of course, the audience may have to adjust to virtually seeing two similarly looking faces on stage. Currently, we are planning a French program for our performance together.

CLIBURN: Lastly, it’s been 22 years since you won Cliburn gold! Can you share your strongest recollections of that time in your life—during and directly about the Competition?

STASIK: My strongest recollection during the Cliburn Competition was the incredible opportunity to meet Van Cliburn himself. Growing up in the Soviet Union, Cliburn was a musical figure of mythical significance. After his historic victory at the first Tchaikovsky Competition, he became one of the most influential figures in the classical music world. I remember watching his performances from a very young age, and to me, he was like a character from a fairytale.

Imagine my astonishment when I had the chance to meet him in person at an Italian restaurant in Fort Worth. It was a moment that will forever be etched in my memory. Van Cliburn was not only a remarkable musician and visionary, but he also possessed the biggest heart I had ever encountered. The warmth and kindness he exuded were simply extraordinary.

Meeting Van Cliburn during the Competition was a profound experience for me. It added an additional layer of inspiration and motivation to my performance. His presence and support made me feel connected to the rich heritage of classical music, and I will always cherish the memory of that encounter.