Wedding Pianist in Las Vegas

The ceremony

How the music runs, moment by moment

A live pianist follows the room rather than a stopwatch. If the doors open late, the prelude simply continues; if the aisle takes longer than anyone planned, the processional stretches to meet it. Recorded music cannot do that, and it is the single most common reason a ceremony feels rushed.

Prelude

Twenty to thirty minutes as guests arrive and are seated. Quiet, unhurried, and long enough to absorb a late start without anyone noticing.

Processional

Chosen with you — one piece for the wedding party and, if you would like, a different one for your entrance. Played to the pace you actually walk, not to a recording.

During the ceremony

An interlude for a candle, a signing, a reading or a moment of silence. Held as long as the moment needs and ended cleanly.

Recessional

The one bright, unmistakable moment of the ceremony. Chosen with you, and carried on until the last guest is out of their seat.

Cocktail hour

The hour that most often gets forgotten. Live piano at conversation volume keeps the room warm while photographs are being taken.

Dinner & reception

Through the meal and the toasts, at a level that lets the speeches land. Handover to a DJ or band afterwards is straightforward.

The music

What couples usually choose

Nothing here is fixed. This is the ground most weddings start from, and we narrow it together once I know the shape of your day.

Pachelbel — Canon in D, the most requested processional there is

Wagner & Mendelssohn — the traditional processional and recessional

Bach — Air on the G String, the Prelude in C

Ave Maria — Schubert, and Bach–Gounod

Debussy — Clair de lune, Rêverie, Arabesque

Chopin — nocturnes, waltzes, the Raindrop prelude

Satie — Gymnopédies and Gnossiennes, for the cocktail hour

Beethoven — the Moonlight Sonata, Für Elise

Mozart, Schumann, Tchaikovsky — the lighter, singing pieces

Gershwin — The Man I Love, Rialto Ripples, when the room wants a smile

Film and popular melodies — arranged for solo piano, by request

Rachmaninoff — when the evening asks for something larger

Your own piece — one that matters to you, prepared in advance

The full repertoire — ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and the concert pieces behind it →

How it works

Solo piano, and more if you would like it

Solo piano covers the whole day for most weddings — ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner, on one instrument.

Duo with violin or cello for the ceremony, 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.

I am glad to work directly with your planner or the venue's coordinator on the run of show, so nothing has to be relayed through you on the day.

To prepare a quote I need

The date, the ceremony time, and which parts of the day you want music for
The venue, and whether a piano is already there
Roughly how many guests, and whether the ceremony is indoors or out
Your processional and recessional, if you have chosen them
Any piece that must be included

No prices on this page on purpose — a wedding quote depends on how much of the day you want covered. Write and you will get a real number.

Who is playing

Not background music by default

Dr. Maria Pisarenko at a white grand piano

Las Vegas stages

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.

Soloist with orchestras

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.

Concert stages

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.

International prizewinner

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).

A teaching line back to Liszt

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 →

Not only a performer

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.

Here in Nevada

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

In the press

Written about in the press

“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.

Letters and certificates

What conductors and music directors have written about her

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.

Letter from Harold Weller, Founding Music Director and Conductor Laureate of The Las Vegas Philharmonic, March 2010 — “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 →

Letter from Dr. Douglas R. Peterson, Music Director of the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society, February 2010 — “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 →

Letter from Dr. Christian Bohnenstengel, Director of Keyboard Studies, Southern Utah University, April 2012 — “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 awarded to Masha Pisarenko by the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society for its 50th Anniversary season, January 2013 — “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 certificate recognising Dr. Maria Pisarenko as a 2018 Top Music Teacher, signed by Chief Executive Officer Ron Losby — “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 →

Letter from Michael W. Bowers, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Provost of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, January 2010 — “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 →

Second letter from Dr. Douglas R. Peterson, Music Director of the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society, October 2017 — “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 →

Second letter from Dr. Christian Bohnenstengel, Director of Keyboard Studies, Southern Utah University, October 2013 — “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.

Questions

What couples ask before they book

Can you play the processional and recessional we choose?

Yes. The Wagner and Mendelssohn processionals, Pachelbel’s Canon in D and both settings of Ave Maria — Schubert and Bach–Gounod — are part of the repertoire, and one requested piece is prepared in advance as part of every booking.

What happens if the ceremony starts late?

A live pianist simply keeps playing until you are ready. A recording cannot do that — it either runs out or has to be restarted in front of your guests. Absorbing a late start without anyone noticing is one of the practical reasons to book a live musician.

Can you play the cocktail hour and the dinner as well as the ceremony?

Yes. Ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner can be booked together or separately, with two hours as the minimum booking. Tell me how long you would like music across the day and I will build one continuous programme for it.

Does the venue need to have a piano?

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.

Is there a minimum 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.

How long do you play, and how do breaks work?

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.

How far in advance should we book?

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.

Do you take a deposit?

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.

Do you travel to venues outside Las Vegas?

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.

Can we add a violinist or a singer?

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.

What do you wear for a wedding?

Concert attire by default. Black tie, all black, or something quieter on request — tell me what the room calls for.

How much does it cost?

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.

Enquiries

Tell me about your wedding

Send the date and the venue and I will come back to you with a programme suggestion and a quote. Wedding dates in Las Vegas fill early in the season — the sooner you write, the more I can prepare for you.

Your name *

Email *

Phone

Date of the event

The occasion

How long you would like music

How did you hear about me?

Venue — and is there a piano in the room?

Anything else, and any piece you would like played

Message me on WhatsApp

Sending opens your own email app with every answer already written in, addressed to me — nothing is submitted to any third party, and no data leaves your device until you press send there. If your computer has no email app set up, use Copy the details instead and paste them into webmail, or write to me on WhatsApp, or simply call.

Or reach me directly masha.pisarenko@gmail.com 702-809-7576 WhatsApp — 702-809-7576

Is your wedding date free?