What newspapers have written about her, and what conductors, music directors and universities wrote and signed. Every quotation links to its source; every letter is shown as the original document.
Send the date and a line about the occasion and I will reply myself, with a programme suggestion and a quote.
These are not testimonials collected from a form. They are signed letters and certificates from a Las Vegas Philharmonic conductor, from music directors who programmed her, from a university department head, and from Steinway & Sons. Each document is reproduced below — 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.
“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
“Audiences will experience the musical genius of Dr. Maria “Masha” Pisarenko (piano).”Eat More Art Vegas, 2022 · Winchester Dondero Cultural Center
“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. Las Vegas stages include the Winchester Dondero Cultural Center (Eastern European Seasons, 2022) and the Whitney Library (international music concert, 2024). 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.
The full biography and the teaching line from Franz Liszt to Dr. Pisarenko are on the About page. She teaches at Las Vegas Piano School and online at Online Piano University.
Biography and the teaching line to Liszt →
Send the date and the venue and I will come back to you with a programme suggestion and a quote.