Dr.Natalia Kartashova, Ph.D, DMA
Russian Concert pianist, Laureate of 15 International competitions, educator, author
Born in the cultural capital of Saint Petersburg, Russia, Dr. Natalia Kartashova is an internationally acclaimed concert pianist known for her poetic artistry, technical brilliance, and deep interpretive insight. She began her formal training at a prestigious music school for highly gifted children, where her extraordinary talent quickly distinguished her. By the age of seven, she was already captivating audiences across Russia and abroad with her performances.
At 15, she was accepted to Rimsky-Korsakov College of Music, one of Russia’s most competitive institutions for young professional musicians and, upon graduation, Natalia continued her studies in Moscow under legendary piano masters -Maria Gambaryan and Emmanuil Monaszon. During her years in Moscow, she actively participated in masterclasses led by internationally renowned artists,such as Bashkirov, Pletnev, Krainev, Virsaladze, Shtarkman,Gornostaeva, Rosenbaum, and Boaz Sharon. While completing her undergraduate studies,she earned her Ph.D. in Psychology — a rare academic achievement that underscores her intellectual discipline developed a unique,deeply insightful approach to music performance and pedagogy.
As a multiple-time laureate of major international piano competitions, Dr. Kartashova has earned First Prizes and Grand Prix titles across France, Spain, Holland,Hungaryand Italy, gaining widespread recognition and making frequent appearances on television and radio for interviews and live performances.
In 2006, she made a pivotal move to the United States, where in 2009 she completed her Master’s degree at UCLA under the legendary Professor Vitaly Margulis and earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance in 2015,completing a pioneering dissertation titled “Chronic Stage Anxiety Re-Examined: An Integrative Approach for the 21st Century.” This work has since helped countless musicians, actors, and public speakers transform fear into freedom on stage.
A visionary educator, Dr. Kartashova founded the Russian Academy of Music in Los Angeles in 2015—a premier institution dedicated to excellence in classical piano education. Her students have become prizewinners in countless international piano competitions and perform on the world’s most elite stages, including Carnegie Hall, Disney Hall, Vienna Musikverein, La Scala, Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, and Paris Grand Opéra, fascinating the musical world with both, artistry and professionalism.Many continue professional career in the top conservatories worldwide.
In addition to her musical achievements, Natalia is also a sought-after Russian language coach for actors, guiding performers through the intricate layers of pronunciation, emotional depth, and cultural nuance essential for authentic portrayals. With her profound understanding of the Russian soul — its poetic melancholy, fierce passion, and psychological complexity — she helps actors embody characters with truth and resonance. Her unique blend of musical sensitivity, linguistic precision, and psychological insight makes her an invaluable asset to productions seeking not just accuracy, but emotional authenticity rooted in the heart of Russian identity.
Based in Los Angeles, Dr. Natalia Kartashova continues to record, teach, and mentor the next generation of artists with passion, precision, psychological insight and a lifetime of artistic excellence. Her legacy is reflected not only in her own international career, but in the remarkable success of her students around the world.Her career is a testament to discipline, inspiration, and the power of music to transcend boundaries. Her legacy is reflected not only in her own international career, but in the remarkable success of her students around the world.
