Piano Instruction and Accompaniment

Svetlana Rudikova-Harris is both a master teacher and concert performer. Her accomplishments have given her a place in the world of music which few have attained. She is a concert pianist, and accompanist to some of the great performers of our time. She is an international recording artist, a concert soloist, and a master teacher holding 3 Masters degrees in performance, and an additional special certification for children's education

Svetlana Harris teaches pianists of all ages from beginners to professional levels, and is featured performer in master classes and clinics through out the United States. Her private studio is a part of the Wyndfall Conservatory. Her studio members come from all corners of the Central Valley including cities and towns in the Tulare, Kern, Fresno and Kings Counties; she also has students who travel from other parts of the state as well to benefit from her expertise. Her students have gone on to win local and state competitions, and have been accepted into music programs ranging from performing arts high schools, to master classes, to competitive college and university programs.

Mrs. Harris believes that each student is unique. She custom tailors each student's lesson plan according to his or her specific needs and individual aspirations, providing private lessons, as well as offering master classes, performances with renowned guest artists, and annual recitals where parents, friends and the community can celebrate the progress of each student.

About Svetlana's Career

At 5 Svetlana was the youngest performer to give her own piano recital, and then at age 9, performing works including her own compositions, she won the Russian State Piano Competition. She has recorded on the Melodiya label and was selected to perform with such renowned artists as: Mezzo Soprano Natalia Kirichenko, Dean of Krasnodar Academy of Arts and Culture, Winner of the La Scala Platinum Award, Pianist Yevgeny Malinin, co-Winner Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibauld competition in Paris 1953 (prize shared with Philippe Entremont), prize winner of the International Chopin Competition, Pianist Sergei Dorensky, Dean of Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Juror of Tchaikovsky Piano Competition, Van Cliburn Piano Competition, and Chopin International Piano Competition; Yamaha calls him "one of the most important pianists" from Russia.

Svetlana has also performed with Yamaha Artists Jim Walker, Mary Karen Clardy, Miramatsu Artist John Barcellona, Miyasawa Artist Tadeu Coelho, and Powell Artist Cynthia Eliss. Among her many venues she has performed on NPR (National Public Radio) for the series "The Infinite Mind", and was a featured performer at the NFA Convention, and has lent her considerable talents to the benefit of numerous national charitable foundations.

Svetlana has performed for over 16 years with Yamaha Performing Artist and sister-in-law Tracy Harris, both in orchestral concerts, and as a playing partner in their “Wyndfall Duo”. She is also the Pianist for the acclaimed Tracy Harris Annual Master Class.

Svetlana Harris' capabilities include: master pianist, choral conductor, composer, vocal music arranger, vocal accompanist, clinician, professor, teacher, harpsichordist, and orchestra keyboardist. She holds 3 Masters Degrees in Piano, Choral Conducting, Piano Accompaniment, and holds a special certification for children's instruction. Her studio includes students from 5 to 55. Svetlana continues to record with the same sensitivity and eloquence which reflects her abilities as an international artist.

Selected Career Awards

Gold Medalist for the Russian National Young Performance Competition at 16.
Winner of the Russian Choral Conducting Competition.
Winner of the National Piano Prize, Russian Piano Competition.
Special Award for Excellence in Piano Performance & Instruction at the National Education Competition.
Four Time Winner of the National Composers' Gregory Ponomarenko Grant.

Selected Community Service

Svetlana has traveled to many schools, colleges and universities performing as Solo Pianist, Accompanist, Choral Conductor, and Vocal Soloist to benefit students' musical education and to expose Youth to fine Arts.

Mrs. Harris also performs in numerous concerts to benefit Homes for the Elderly and for War Veterans, as well as at Charity Benefits in support of various national organizations.

Svetlana also supports her local musical community organizations. She performs and appears as guest artist with the Tulare County Symphony, musical groups and functions at the College of the Sequoias, master classes, music festivals, coachings and competitions, church groups and recitals, and the Wyndfall Flute Orchestra.

Select Recommendations by Masters

"I proudly recommend Svetlana Rudikova-Harris, Chair of the Vocal Accompaniment Department. She is a brilliant musician, Pianist, accompanist and conductor. She possesses all the qualities a musician needs: high quality of tone and temperament, creative and original phrasing and style, mastery of the musical material, excellent intellect and understanding of the stylistic features of all the musical eras. She possesses an excellent sense of ensemble, and an excellent ability to accompany, with a high quality of Instrumental Technique. She has a quick, rational, emotional and instinctual intellect with a natural interpretation and approach to music...It has been my extreme pleasure to perform in concerts with Svetlana. Her musicality and professionalism in concert is matched only by her fire and creativity as a performer. She is a rare jewel in performance."
La Scala Platinum Award Winner Mezzo-Soprano and Dean of Krasnodar Academy of Arts and Culture Natalia Kirichenko

“It was my extreme pleasure to work with Svetlana. Her musicality is matched by her intuition and intellectual approach to the music.”
Yevgeny Malinin, Piano Professor Moscow Conservatory of Music, VII Prize Winner 4th International Chopin Piano Competition, Co-Winner Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibauld competition in Paris 1953 with Philippe Entremont

“Svetlana Rudikova has an excellent sense of ensemble with the choir or soloist or instrumentalist. I highly recommend her as a pianist as well as an accompanist.”
Nelli Mezhlumova, Piano professor and Chair of the Piano Department, Rimsky-Korsakov College of Music

"Svetlana is a rarity on today's concert stage and in the studio. She has been my professional and playing partner for 16 years now and continues to astound and amaze me with her liquid technique and brilliant musicality. I have also observed Svetlana in her piano studio and she is beloved by students and parents alike possessing a wonderful rapport with children and adults of all ages."
Tracy Harris, Concert Flutist, Yamaha Performing Artist and Clinician

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