Valentina Kotko
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Valentina Kotko is a Russian born concert pianist and prestigious pedagogue of piano. As a young girl, Kotko studied at a school for gifted children, later attending the world acclaimed Gnessin Institute (also known as the Russian Academy of Music and Gnessin State Musical College). After graduation, Kotko became a faculty member at Gnessin and began giving solo concerts as well as chamber music performances.
In 1995, Kotko relocated to Fredericton, Canada where she focused on pedagogy. During her time in Fredericton, Valentina's's students flourished, receiving top marks on exams at The Royal Conservatory of Music and placing first at Music Festivals like Junior Star.
While in Canada, Kotko continued her musical career, performing extensively across the Canadian Province of New Brunswick in solo piano concerts and chamber music recitals. In 1998 the Canadian Government commissioned Kotko to record her solo album "Valentina" which was released the same year and subsequently nominated for album of the year at The East Coast Music Awards. The East Coast Music Association invited Kotko to be the first classical soloist in history to perform at the ceremony. Valentina's studio and solo performances have been featured on popular Canadian Television programs and broadcast on CBC. Her musical brilliance has consistently received rave reviews in the media.
In 2000, Kotko relocated to Ottawa where she continues to mentor, combining the best features of Russian and Canadian schools and endowing her students with not just technique, but a deep, heart felt love of the art.
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Discography
http://kotko.ca/sub_sites/cd.html