Naoko Zhezha, a native of Japan, is a pianist, avid chamber
musician, and an enthusiastic piano teacher. Mrs. Zhezha received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and her first Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from Western Michigan University, where she was a recipient of the Teaching Assistantship award and “Phyllis Rappaport Opera Accompanying” Scholarship. Following her studies at Michigan University, Mrs. Zhezha earned a second Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano Performance from Rutgers University, where she was appointed as a Department Assistant and “Edna Mason” Scholar. Her former teachers include Thomas Lymenstull, Daniel Shapiro, Lori Sims, and Barbara Gonzalez-Palmer.
Mrs. Zhezha began taking private lessons at the age of 5 and was engaged artistically at an early age. As a 16-year-old, she moved to the United States to attend the prestigious “Interlochen Arts Academy” in Michigan. Since then, she has concertized throughout the United States and abroad. Recently, Mrs. Zhezha was invited to perform duo recitals along with the highly esteemed violinist and violist, Mialtin Zhezha in Albania. This tour was nominated for the “best performance of the year” award in Tirana, Albania. In 2007, she has premiered several chamber works by American composer Curtis-Curtis Smith for the Fontana Chamber Arts Music Society in Michigan.
For her piano performances, Mrs. Zhezha has received numerous prizes and awards, including First Prize at the “Kawai Piano Competition”; silver medal at the “Student Music Competition” in Japan; the “Joseph and Bess Scharff Level” Piano Award at the Cleveland Institute of Music. A Concerto Competition Winner at the Western Michigan University, she also received the “Teaching Excellency Award” from the “Crescendo Festival” and “YTMA” in New York City. Other honors include participation in the International Gilmore Music Festival, Aria International Summer Academy, and Kirishima International Music Festival in Japan, among others.
In addition to her piano performance career, Mrs. Zhezha has extensive experience teaching individual piano lessons at the pre-college and college levels. She has served on the faculties of the Mason Gross Extension Division, Zen Music Center, and Western Michigan University, while maintaining a private studio in her home. She believes that everybody can enjoy music and she makes it her mission to motivate and inspire her students to achieve their best in music.