Las Vegas runs on rooms full of people who have already seen everything. A live concert pianist is one of the few things that still makes them stop. I am Dr. Maria Pisarenko, a classical concert pianist — Doctor of Musical Arts, prizewinner of international competitions in Paris and Rome, and a performer on stages across Russia, Europe, Asia and the United States. I play live piano for corporate receptions, client dinners, award evenings, hospitality suites and convention floors. The register is light classical — the same repertoire a concert audience knows, played at concert level for a room that is talking, dining and celebrating.
Send the date, the venue and the kind of event. I reply personally, with a programme suggestion and a quote.
The first hour sets the tone for everything after it. Live piano fills a room at a volume that lets people hear one another — which is the entire point of a reception.
On a floor built out of screens and noise, an acoustic instrument is the contrast. Played in a lounge, a suite or an exhibitor space, it slows people down and holds them longer than a monitor does.
Where the real conversations happen. A pianist in the corner of a suite signals care without a single word of branding.
Arrival music, the settling of the room before the programme, and interludes between speakers. Timed to the run of show, not to a setlist.
Small rooms, quiet playing. The music is there to make the table feel considered, and to disappear when it should.
Product launches, grand openings, anniversaries and holiday parties — anywhere a company wants the evening to feel like an occasion rather than a booking.
Most event music is chosen to be inoffensive. That is a low bar, and guests feel it. A performer trained on concert stages plays the same familiar repertoire with phrasing, dynamics and control — which is why a room goes quieter rather than louder when the playing is good.
It also means the programme can move. A reception that starts at Satie and Debussy can end at Rachmaninoff if the evening earns it. Nothing has to be pre-recorded, and nothing has to be repeated.
For corporate clients this matters in a specific way: the pianist is a credential in the room. A DMA, international competition prizes and concerto appearances with orchestra are things your guests can be told, and then hear confirmed.
A business event usually asks for the beautiful and the recognisable — music guests know without being asked to listen. A typical evening draws on:
Chopin — nocturnes, waltzes, the Raindrop prelude
Debussy — Clair de lune, Rêverie, Arabesque
Satie — Gymnopédies and Gnossiennes
Beethoven — the Moonlight Sonata, Für Elise
Bach — Air on the G String, the Prelude in C
Pachelbel — Canon in D
Mozart, Schumann, Tchaikovsky — the lighter, singing pieces
Gershwin — The Man I Love, Rialto Ripples, when the room wants a smile
Rachmaninoff — when the evening asks for something larger
Film and popular melodies — arranged for solo piano, by request
Your own request — one piece that matters, prepared in advance
The full repertoire — ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and the concert pieces behind it →
The Smith Center, with Nevada Ballet Theatre. The Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV, as concerto soloist with the UNLV Symphony Orchestra under Taras Krysa. The Doc Rando Recital Hall. The Clark County Library Theatre — and churches, libraries and private rooms across the valley since 2007.
Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with orchestra and chorus under Douglas Peterson of the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society; Mozart’s Concerto No. 21 with the Reno Chamber Orchestra, broadcast on Reno Public Radio.
Solo recitals and concerto appearances across Russia, Europe, Asia and the USA — the Royal Academy of Music and the University of Oxford in England, the Paris Conservatory, Santa Cecilia in Rome and Benedetto Marcello in Venice, the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, philharmonic halls across Russia and Ukraine, and as far as Bangkok.
Second Prize at the International Piano Competition in Memory of Sviatoslav Richter, Paris, and at the Frédéric Chopin International Competition, Rome. Winner of the Reno Chamber Orchestra College Concerto Competition (2010) and the UNLV Concerto Competition (2012).
Trained at the Central Music School of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music. Her line of teachers runs directly back to Franz Liszt: Liszt → Alexander Siloti → Alexander Goldenweiser → Tatiana Nikolayeva → her own teacher, Manana Kandelaki. At the Gnesins she studied with a pupil of Maria Yudina, and she has worked in masterclasses with Heinrich Neuhaus’s own students — Lev Naumov, Vera Gornostayeva and Vladimir Krainev. Her full story →
Founder and artistic director of two Las Vegas festivals — the St. Paul’s Music Festival (2011) and the first Russian Music & Culture Festival at the College of Southern Nevada (2019) — and president of International Cultural Seasons. Programmes built for a room, not only played in one.
Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Faculty at the College of Southern Nevada and Southern Utah University. Steinway Top Teacher. Founder and director of Classic Music Entertainment in Las Vegas since 2006. Featured on Nevada Public Radio.
Grieg — Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 · live with orchestra
Mozart — Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467 · live with orchestra
Chopin — Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35 · live
Solo piano is the main offer, and for most business events it is all a room needs. Duo with violin or cello, accompaniment for a singer, or a small ensemble can be arranged by request, booked well in advance and priced accordingly.
An acoustic piano at the venue is required. I play the instrument that is in the room — I do not bring one, and I do not play on an electronic keyboard. If your venue has no piano, one can be hired in for the day; ask them what is in the room and tell me early, so the programme is prepared for that instrument.
I play throughout the Las Vegas valley, and I travel beyond it for the right event — travel outside the valley is quoted with the booking.
Two hours is the minimum booking. Travel and any breaks within the engagement are part of the booked time and are included in the quote.
This is a concert engagement, not background cover. The programme is prepared for your room, the playing is at concert level, and the quote reflects that.
Attire is concert dress by default; black tie, all black, or something quieter on request.
Planning a wedding instead? See the wedding page. For every other occasion — private parties and galas — see live piano for Las Vegas events.
“With a career that began with international acclaim at a young age and has continued to be successful, pianist Masha Pisarenko’s talent is one to be admired… a mature, highly experienced performing artist, an individual that can render the sincere emotion and deep feelings of the composers.”Southern Utah University
“Intimate, masterful and free.”Las Vegas Sun, 2008
“The musicians had so convinced us by their moving performance.”Las Vegas Sun, Kristen Peterson, 2008
“People in the Arts: Masha Pisarenko — a weekly snapshot of creative people living in the Las Vegas Valley.”Las Vegas Sun, Kristen Peterson, 2009
“Las Vegas musician began playing piano at 5 — in Siberia.”Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2019
“The Russian Seasons, a celebration of Russian arts, music and culture… The event is being presented by pianist Dr. Maria Pisarenko and friends.”Las Vegas Review-Journal, Shea Johnson, 2019
“Pianist Maria Pisarenko was the winner of the Reno Chamber Orchestra’s twenty-third annual College Concerto Competition.”This Is Reno, 2010
“Pisarenko performed solos, concertos and competitions throughout Russia, France, Italy, England and Ukraine before leaving Russia for the United States in search of something new.”Prescott Pops Symphony, guest-artist page
“The Siberian-born artist has performed throughout Europe, and has won various competitions… a featured performer on Nevada Public Radio and a guest soloist with numerous orchestras.”Salt Lake Tribune
“She has performed on some of the most prestigious stages of the world, including in Russia, Asia, Europe, and the United States.”Clark County, Nevada, 2019 · archived page
Every line above is quoted word for word from a published source. Where the article is online, the publication’s name is a link — open it and read the original; the Clark County release survives as an archived copy. Broadcast and interviewed on Nevada Public Radio (KNPR), Reno Public Radio (KUNR), Radio of Russia and Channel One Russia. On screen: Portrait of a Pianist (2019), a short film she co-directed with Saul Morales and appears in.
When you hire a pianist for an event you are trusting a stranger with the room. These are the documents behind the claim: signed letters from the people who put her on stage — a Las Vegas Philharmonic conductor, music directors, a university department head — and a certificate from Steinway & Sons. Open any of them and read the original.
“It gives me great pleasure to recommend to your attention an exceptionally gifted pianist… Her superb technique was placed clearly at the service of well-crafted and eloquent musical concepts which communicated beautifully to her audiences. Her ease, fluidity, and poetic interpretation… reminded me very much of Valentina Lisitsa.”Harold WellerFounding Music Director & Conductor Laureate, The Las Vegas Philharmonic · March 2010 Read the document →
“I have only the highest praise for pianist Masha Pisarenko… Masha’s piano skills are formidable and her interpretations sensitive. She was extremely well-prepared in all three programs… Her renditions in the Choral Fantasia and the Concerto were accorded standing ovations!”Dr. Douglas R. PetersonMusic Director, Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society · February 2010 Read the document →
“The audience was very impressed with her artistry in a wide range of musical styles. One of our finest piano majors… noted that this may have been the best recital he has ever attended. Another audience member perceived each note as having a life of its own, and noted Ms. Pisarenko’s ability to make the notes ‘dance with each other.’”Dr. Christian Bohnenstengel, NCTMDirector of Keyboard Studies, Department of Music, Southern Utah University · April 2012 Read the document →
“Certificate of Appreciation — in recognition of your graciously sharing your musical artistry.”Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society50th Anniversary season, 1963–2013 · signed by Music Director Dr. Douglas R. Peterson · January 2013 Read the document →
“Steinway & Sons is pleased to recognize Dr. Maria Pisarenko, 2018 Top Music Teacher.”Steinway & SonsSigned by Ron Losby, Chief Executive Officer, Steinway Musical Instruments · 2018 Read the document →
“Congratulations to you on becoming First Prize Winner of the Reno Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition… It appears that you are on your way to a very prominent artistic career. The College of Fine Arts and the university are very proud of your accomplishment.”Michael W. Bowers, Ph.D.Executive Vice President & Provost, University of Nevada, Las Vegas · January 2010 Read the document →
“Masha’s piano skills are formidable and her interpretations, sensitive. She was extremely well-prepared in all four programs… A repeat performance of the Mozart Concerto 21 with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra received great praise.”Dr. Douglas R. PetersonMusic Director and CEO, Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society · October 2017, after four programmes together Read the document →
“One of my colleagues commented enthusiastically on the performance of the Toccata in E Minor by Bach, admiring Ms. Pisarenko’s ability to convey the complex polyphonic texture by giving each voice its own distinct color.”Dr. Christian Bohnenstengel, NCTMDirector of Keyboard Studies, Southern Utah University · October 2013, a second invitation Read the document →
Also on file, and available on request: letters of appreciation from ABRSM — the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, London — signed by Chief Executive Christopher Cobb, for pupils of hers invited to the High Scorers’ Concert in 2025 and in 2026, and a letter from Dámaris Morales-Alvarez, Piano Program Coordinator at the College of Southern Nevada (2017), on her teaching.
Every letter and certificate above is a photograph of the original document, reproduced whole. The only thing removed is the private contact details of the people who signed them. Nothing else has been altered, and every name, title and date can be checked.
Receptions and opening evenings, conventions and trade shows, hospitality suites, award evenings, client dinners, product launches and galas — anywhere the room is meant to feel considered rather than merely filled with sound.
Yes — an acoustic piano at the venue is required. I play the instrument that is in the room; I do not bring one of my own, and I do not perform on an electronic keyboard. Ask your venue what they have, and if there is no piano, one can be hired in for the day. Either way, tell me early, so the programme is prepared for that particular instrument.
Two hours is the minimum booking. Travel and any breaks within the engagement are part of the booked time and are included in the quote.
That is arranged with you personally rather than sold as a fixed package. Tell me the shape of your day — when music should begin, when it should stop, and what happens in between — and I will propose the playing and the breaks around it. Breaks fall inside the booked time, so the programme runs to your schedule, not to mine.
Yes. One requested piece is prepared in advance as part of every booking. If you would like more than one, ask early and we will plan it into the programme.
As early as you can. The date is held for one event only, so the earlier you write, the more likely your date is free and the more time there is to prepare a programme, and any requested piece, properly for your room.
Yes. A retainer reserves your date and takes it off the calendar for anyone else; the balance and the cancellation terms are confirmed in writing together with your quote.
I play throughout the Las Vegas valley — Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Enterprise and Spring Valley — and I travel beyond it for the right event. Travel is included in the quote.
Solo classical piano is the booking — that is what I do and what the programme is built around. A duo with violin or cello, accompaniment for a singer, or a small ensemble can be added by request, booked well in advance and priced accordingly, but the piano is the centre of the evening.
Concert attire by default. Black tie, all black, or something quieter on request — tell me what the room calls for.
Every event is quoted individually, so there is no price list. To prepare a quote I need the date, the start time and how long you would like music; the venue, and whether a piano is already there; the occasion and the mood you have in mind; and any piece that must be included. This is a concert engagement, not background cover — the programme is prepared for your room, the playing is at concert level, and the quote reflects that.
Dr. Maria Pisarenko — Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, trained at the Central Music School of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music. Second Prize at the International Piano Competition in Memory of Sviatoslav Richter in Paris and at the Frédéric Chopin International Competition in Rome. University faculty in Nevada and Utah, Steinway Top Teacher, featured on Nevada Public Radio.
Send the date and the venue and I will come back to you with a programme suggestion and a quote. Convention season fills early — the sooner you write, the more I can prepare for you.