April 22, 2010

Kseniia Polstiankina. Download image.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) music student Kseniia Polstiankina won first place and a $1,500 prize at the annual Stillman College Zelpha Wells Piano Competition for Collegiate Artists.

Polstiankina, a junior, is the daughter of Irina and Sergei Polstiankin of Kiev, Ukraine. She is a student of Yakov Kasman, associate professor of piano and artist-in-residence in the UAB Department of Music. Polstiankina graduated from the Special Music School in Kiev and has won several solo and chamber international piano competitions in Ukraine and Russia. She recently won several competitions locally, including the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition, Birmingham Music Club and MTNA Southern Division Young Artist Competition.

Polstiankina submitted three selections to qualify for the first round. For the final round of competition Saturday, April 17, Polstiankina played three pieces from Tchaikovsky-Pletnev's "Nutcracker" Suite. The national competition was judged by one of the most famous American pianists of today, Awadagin Pratt, associate professor of piano and artist in residence at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Pratt is acclaimed for his musical insight and intensely involving performances in recital and with symphony orchestras. The competition included participants from around the country; the second place winner was from Tennessee, and the third place winner was from Wisconsin.

The Zelpha Wells Piano Competition pays homage to one of Tuscaloosa's most distinguished citizens, music educators and humanitarians. A graduate of Talladega College, where she majored in piano and minored in organ and public school music, Wells received certificates in music from Peabody College and Fisk University. She also has been featured in Time magazine and on The Oprah Winfrey Show. A member of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Wells has taught music for more than 50 years and is internationally known as a pianist and purveyor of music.

About the UAB Department of Music

UAB is the first all-Steinway piano school in Alabama. The UAB Department of Music presents more than 150 concerts, recitals, master classes, and lectures each year - many of them free - for more than 400,000 people throughout the region. The department features 17 ensembles.