Pianist and Pedagogue Milana Chernyavska Joins the Clavicologne Initiative

Renowned pianist and pedagogue Milana Chernyavska joins the Clavicologne initiative, bringing her exceptional artistry and deep commitment to mentoring young musicians. As one of today’s leading educators, she offers invaluable insight drawn from a distinguished international career in performance, teaching, and musicological research.

The Clavicologne initiative is proud to welcome internationally acclaimed pianist and educator Milana Chernyavska to its growing network of mentors. Renowned for her profound artistry and exceptional teaching, Professor Chernyavska brings a wealth of experience to this new role, reinforcing Clavicologne's mission to connect emerging talent with the world’s leading musical minds.

“I am truly delighted to join the Clavicologne initiative,” Chernyavska shared. “It presents a meaningful platform where young artists can gain insight from those who have walked the path before them—both musically and professionally. Supporting the next generation is not only a responsibility, but a joy.”

A German artist with Ukrainian roots, Milana Chernyavska has carved out an extraordinary career as both performer and pedagogue. Described by Alfred Brendel as an artist whose performances bring “complete happiness,” she is widely regarded as one of the foremost pianists and educators of her generation.

Since 2009, she has served as a professor of piano at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, and also holds teaching positions at the International Music Academy in Liechtenstein and the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid. Her academic contributions extend to musicological research, with a doctorate thesis titled “The Evaluation and Pedagogical Aspects of the Theory of Interpretation”, reflecting her dedication to the intellectual and artistic dimensions of performance.

Chernyavska is regularly invited to teach at leading international masterclasses and sits on the juries of major competitions, including the ARD in Munich, Busoni, Mozart Competition Salzburg, Telekom Beethoven Competition in Bonn, and the Bluethner Goldaward in Vienna. Her students have consistently secured top prizes at competitions such as Van Cliburn, Maria Canals, Santander Paloma O’Shea, Horowitz, Ettlingen, and many more.

Her performance career is equally illustrious. Chernyavska has appeared at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals—including the Lucerne Festival, Rheingau Music Festival, and Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival—and performed in iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, Musikverein Vienna, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Suntory Hall Tokyo, and Wigmore Hall London. She has collaborated with leading orchestras and a host of distinguished soloists, and her chamber music partners include Julia Fischer, David Garrett, Arabella Steinbacher, and the Vogler Quartet.

Her rich discography—spanning over 20 recordings on labels such as Decca, Sony, and EMI—has earned prestigious awards including the Diapason d’Or, BBC Music Award, Pizzicato Supersonic Award, and Germany’s ECHO Klassik in the category "Classical without Borders".

Milana Chernyavska’s early musical promise was evident when she performed her first concert at the Kyiv Philharmonic at the age of seven. After graduating with distinction from the State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 1990, she refined her artistry through studies with pianists such as Alfred Brendel, Dmitri Bashkirov, and Vladimir Krainev, eventually earning the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine in 1994.

As she joins the Clavicologne initiative, Milana Chernyavska continues her lifelong commitment to excellence, artistry, and mentorship. Her presence promises to enrich the lives of young musicians and inspire the future of classical performance.