Valentina Lisitsa returns again to Rapid City to treat area fans to another of her stunning solo performances. Her recent Rachmaninoff Project with the London Symphony and other appearances in Europe, Asia, South America and the USA continue to enhance her growing reputation as one of the world's finest concert pianists.

Described by critics as a “bona fide angel playing” and an “electrifying pianist”, the Ukrainian-born Valentina Lisitsa has been receiving rave reviews ever since her debut in Avery Fisher Hall for the Mostly Mozart Festival.

With her multi-faceted playing described as “dazzling”, Valentina is at ease in a vast repertoire ranging from Bach and Mozart to Shostakovich and Bernstein. Her orchestral repertory alone includes more than forty different concerti performed so far. She admits to having a special affinity to music of Rachmaninoff and Beethoven. She has performed all of Rachmaninoff's concerti, including “The 5th” with the Rotterdam Philharmonic. She is embarking on an ambitious project of recording all of Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas - often a lifelong task which was achieved by a very select few artists.

With her highly individual and fearless approach to every work she performs, she has been greeted by enthusiastic audiences throughout the world - her recital debut in Vienna's Musikverein Golden Hall (2008) received multiple standing ovations from Viennese listeners, known to be the toughest to please.

Born in Kiev, Ms. Lisitsa began playing the piano at the age of three and performed her first solo recital at age four. After her studies - first in Lysenko School of Music and then in Kiev Conservatory -Valentina moved to the USA and eventually became a citizen. Among her recent collaborations were tours with the Sao Paolo Symphony, the New Zealand Philharmonic, Warsaw Philharmonic and Prague Chamber Orchestra. An avid chamber music player, Valentina has performed with Lynn Harrell, Jimmy Lin, Roberto Diaz, Ida Haendel to name a few. But her most important musical partnership has been with the superb violinist Hilary Hahn. They toured together the past three years in Europe, North and South America, and Japan.

Valentina has recorded 8 CDs (Audiofon label) and 3 independently released DVDs including best-selling set of Chopin's 24 Etudes which held the coveted #1 spot on Amazon's music video list. Her new highly anticipated CD's are scheduled for a release this fall.

Valentina's current home is in rural North Carolina where she finds refuge from her hectic travel schedule. Valentina jokingly calls herself a “redneck pianist” because unlike many of her peers she makes her home base, not in a major city, but in North Carolina's beautiful countryside. She shares her home with a jolly menagerie of four concert grands, two cats, a five-year old son, and her partner in life and piano duo (in married and musical life) Alexei Kuznetsoff. On rare occasions, when she has some free time home, she enjoys organic gardening, restoring her old historic mansion and cooking Italian. Most of her “free” time however is devoted to practicing and learning new pieces. Music is truly her biggest passion.