Biography

Concert pianist, composer, choral conductor, chamber performer, clinician, conductor of piano Master classes and workshops, founder and developer of the Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey International Piano Competition.

Brilliant - Dynamic - Extraordinary - are some of the words used to describe the performance of Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey.

LUDMILA was recognized at an early age as having a unique musical talent. At the age of six she entered the Special Music School in Lvov, Ukraine, which she attended for eleven years, and then continued her studies in piano at the prestigious Music College of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory (Russia). Following this, she entered the Tchaikovsky Conservatory where so many world-famous Russian pianists and composers have studied. Among her professors was the famous Professor Jakov Zak, winner of the 1937 Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. On completing her studies, her teacher, Rudolph Kerer noted..."during her studies Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey has shown herself as a gifted pianist with excellent virtuosity. Her recitals are always rich in content, deeply thought out, and precise."

Following her studies in Moscow, Ludmila moved to Czechoslovakia where she won first prize in the Czechoslovakian National Piano Competition and later won the Smetana International Piano Competition. During this time she also studied at the Academy of Music in Prague with Professor Palenicek, who was one of Alfred Cortot's most brilliant students.

During her international musical travels Ludmila received scholarships from the Czech Musical Foundation for the continuation of her studies, in 1986 and 1987 in France with Professor Ringeissen, in 1989 in Germany with Professor Detlef Kraus, and in 1990 with Professor Rolf-Dieter Arens. In 1989 Ludmila won an international piano competition in Germany and performed the fifth concerto by Beethoven with a symphony orchestra at the concert of the stars. Following these extensive studies, she received her doctorate in music. Her musical presentations involve all the qualities of the Russian Piano School; brilliant technique, a warm-voiced tone and a broad repertoire, including most of the popular classical solos and over 50 concertos for piano and orchestra.

While living in Czechoslovakia she worked as a soloist with the West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra and the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed as a soloist in the following countries: United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Switzerland, Spain, Romania, Australia, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belorussia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Liechtenstein, Mustique, Slovenia, Tajikstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Mexico and Georgia. Ms. Knezkova-Hussey has performed with chamber groups, as an accompanist, and as guest artist with numerous symphony orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Prague Symphony Orchestra, the Marienbad Symphony Orchestra (Czech Republic), Bulgarian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, Berliner Simphony-Orchester (Germany), Deutsches Kammerorchester Frankfurt am Main (Germany), Budapest Chamber Orchestra (Hungary), Orchestra de Camera dell'Anglicum (Italy), Latvian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra (Latvia), Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic of Moldova (Moldova), Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra (Poland), Bucharest Chamber Orchestra (Romania), Moscow Symphony Orchestra (Russia), Russian State Symphony Orchestra (Russia) , Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra (Slovak Republic), Orquesta Nacional de Espana (Spain), Swedish National Orchestra (Sweden), Crimea State Symphony orchestra, and many more. She has made many recordings with famous Czech Orchestras, and has been recorded by many radio stations, including German, Bulgarian, Russian, Canadian, American, Slovakian, Ukrainian, and Czech Radio (which have recorded her original compositions as well).

In addition to her orchestral accomplishments, Ludmila is an experienced and respected teacher of music. Many of her students have been winners in international piano competitions. She has had extensive experience in working with choirs as director, and accompanist as well.

Today Ludmila makes her home in New Brunswick, Canada, where she has continued her career with increased appearances in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Her concerts are regularly recorded by CBC Radio. In May 1992, she received a scholarship from the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts, in Canada for study with Professor Gyorgy Sebok.

In 1993 Ludmila established the Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey International Piano Competition, which attracted many gifted and talented pianists from all over the world. This competition takes place every second year in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada and is judged by internationally known judges. The finalists of the competition have the opportunity of playing with a symphony orchestra, such as the world famous Montreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM).

While Ludmila makes her home in Bathurst, New Brunswick, she continues to visit the Czech Republic and performs worldwide. She is fluent in English, Russian, German, Czech, and French.

Since arriving in Canada, she has:

1) Independently recorded two compact discs to add to her many recordings that she made while in Europe. Her compact disc was nominated in the Classical Music category for an East Coast Music Award.
2) Received, in August 1995, the New Brunswick (Canada) Merit Award for substantial contribution to the community.
3) Had her biography included in the Woman's Almanac/Voices from Atlantic Canada.
4) Had her biography in Musicians' Directory - ‘International Who's Who in Music and Musicians' Directory'. Editions 1994/95, 1996/97,1998/99 and 2000/01 (Cambridge, England).
5) Been included in "The International Directory of Distinguished Leadership", ninth edition, for "Outstanding Contributions to Contemporary Society" in 1999 USA.
6) Received the International Order of Merit (Cambridge, England) 2000. (This prestigious award is bestowed only upon persons who have excelled Internationally in their particular field, and is limited to 500 living recipients at any time).
7) Been named as one of the "2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 20th Century" (England) 2000.
8) Been named as one of the "1000 World Leaders of Influence" (USA) 2000.
9) Received the 2001 Excellence Award for the Arts - for Community Cultural Development - the Province of New Brunswick's most prestigious awards in the arts. These awards are presented to recognize outstanding achievement. (Canada).
10) Been selected as a jury member for the east Coast Music Awards. (Canada).
11) Served as judge and adjudicator for a number of music festivals in Canada.
12) Served as judge for international piano competitions in Europe.
13) Founded the "Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey International Piano Competition", an event that was a finalist in the category of "Event of the Year" for the "Gala des Prix Eloizes".
14) Performed two recitals at the East Coast Music Awards, Prince Edward Island February 2001, broadcast live by CBC Radio.
15) Performed in recital in Barachois, New Brunswick. This recital was taped by Radio Canada, July 2001, for later broadcast.
16) Premiered her symphonic work entitled ‘St. Andrews Anthology', at the gala concert of the St. Andrews Summer Festival, at St. Andrews, NB, July 21, 2001.
17) Been selected by the prestigious Maclean's Newsmagazine for the issue entitled "The Brain Gain". This issue was dedicated to 50 people who chose to make Canada their home, and who have contributed greatly to this country. Ludmila was included with such celebrities as Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and Mordecai Richler. (July 1, 2001; Vol. 114, No.27. Canada ).
18) Been selected to the short list of less than 200 from the "2000 Oustanding Intellectuals of the 20th Century" (Cambridge, England, 2000), for the "Order of Excellence". This most prestigious honour recognizes one individual who has exhibited the highest level of excellence.(Cambridge, England, 2001).
19) Been recorded live in concert, on two occasions, with the Presidential SymphonyOrchestra (Ankara, Turkey), by the Turkish National Radio and Television.
20) Been a finalist in the category of "Artist or Group of the Year" and "Album of the Year" for the Gala des Prix Etoiles (Moncton, Canada, 2001).
21) Has had a number of original compositions recorded for, and aired on CBC radio and television (Canada).
22) Been nominated for “Volunteer of the Year” East Coast Music Awards 2002, Saint John, Canada.
23) Been invited by the London Diplomatic Academy, London, England, to sit on their ‘Academic Council’. This Council is composed of Diplomats, Scientists, and ‘People of Goodwill’ from throughout the world, to create an ‘innovative sphere of reflection and deliberation’. Council members are entitled to use the letters ‘LDA’ following their name. (London, England, 2002)
24) Been named as one of the "2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century" (Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, 2002).
25) Been named as one of the "2000 Outstanding Musicians of the 20th Century (Cambridge, England, 2002).
26) Had her biography included in the Musicians' Directory, the "International Who's Who in Classical Music". (Europa Publication, 18th Edition, 2002).
27) Been included in the "Who's Who in the 21st Century", First Edition (Cambridge, England, 2002).
28) Received Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal, (Canada, 2002).
29) Received The World Order Science-Education-Culture.(Brussels Belgium.2002). Amoung the past recipients of this award are Dr. Kofi Annan (Secretary General of the United Nations), and Nobel prize winner Ilya Prigogine (for chemistry).
30) Received the Paul Harris Fellow Award, "The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International" (Canada, 2002).
31) Been recorded in concert on two occasions in Mexico (April 2002).
32) Premiered her latest composition, a double concerto, entitled "Tabula Rasa ", at the gala concert of the LKH International Piano Competition featuring the WKO Symphony >Orchestra from Vienna, Austria on June 9,2002 (Bathurst, Canada).
33) Had a 90-minute documentary produced by Dreamsmith Entertainement in collaboration with the Public Broadcasters, revealing the extraordinary life of Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey. "Flying on the Moon" was aired nationwide on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Opening Night series on January 16th 2003.
34) Been chosen by the Lieutenant-Governor-in Counsel, to serve on the Board of Directors of the New Brunswick's Arts Board, effective January 2003.
35) Been included in the 9th edition of the "International Who's Who of Professional and Business Women" (USA, 2003).
36) Had her biography included in volume 1 of "Great Minds of the 21st Century" (USA, 2003)
37) Has received a unique medal from the local branch of the Ukrainian Rotary Club in Alushta, acknowledging her outstanding contribution to youth, arts, and culture (Alushta, Ukraine, August 2003).
38) Has been named to the Order of New Brunswick for her contribution of music to the Province (October, 2003).
39) Premiered the Opera, “Traversées”, the first Opera documenting the Acadian history in the New World, with music composed and scored by Ms. Knezkova-Hussey, and Libretto written by Acadian writer/poet/dramatist, Hérménegilde Chiasson, at the June 2004 Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey International Piano Competition and Festival Gala Concert, in Bathurst, NB., with “l’orchestre de la Garde républicaine”, from Paris, France, and vocal and choral soloists and dancers from New Brunswick.
40) Documentary, “FLYING ON THE MOON’ (Produced 2003), won the top award, the prestigious ‘Chris Award’, at the 52 nd Columbus International Film and Video Festival, September, 2004, in the category of “Performing Arts”.

A brilliant technician, this gifted pianist exudes competence and vitality, while presenting a concert rich in content from her vast repertoire of noted classical composers, both traditional and contemporary. Her boldly unconventional programs bring cheers and standing ovations wherever she performs. She is certain to enrapture any audience with her stunning talent, and leave them asking for more!