Pianist Aleksandra Velgosha was born in Moscow, Russia. She is a doctoral candidate at James Madison University and enjoys an artistic life of teaching, collaborating, and solo performing. Her recent community initiative included launching of an annual New Piano Music Project, where local composers and pianists collaborate to present new piano works to the community. Aleksandra’s achievements include first and second prizes in competitions like E. R. Davis Piano Competition, Crescendo Competition (Carnegie Hall, NY), and many others. Aleksandra performs solo and collaborative recitals throughout the United States and Europe and has appeared as a soloist in performances at such festivals as Port City Music Festival (Wilmington, NC) and Staunton Music Festival (Staunton, VA). She has also appeared as a soloist with such groups as Tula Regional Orchestra, New England Youth Ensemble, JMU Wind Symphony & Brass Band, and Warren Philharmonic Orchestra. Aleksandra received her BM in Piano Performance with honors from Washington Adventist University with Dr. Mark Di Pinto, and completed her Master’s degree at the University of Maryland under Prof. Larissa Dedova. Aleksandra studies at JMU with Dr. Gabriel Dobner and has taught at such institutions as University of Maryland, Christopher Newport University, Richardson School of Music, Takoma Academy, and Chanson Music School. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty at James Madison University.