Natalya Shkoda, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Piano
Coordinator of Piano Studies
Music Department
California State University, Chico
400 West First Street
Chico, CA 95929-0805
Phone: (530) 898-4043
Email: NShkoda@CSUChico.edu
Dr. Natalya Shkoda joined the Music Department at California State University, Chico, as an Assistant Professor of Piano and Coordinator of Piano Studies in the fall 2008. A native of Kharkiv, Ukraine, Dr. Shkoda holds degrees and diplomas from Arizona State University (2006 - Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance; 2001 - Master of Music in Piano Performance), the Kharkiv State University of the Arts (1999 - Diplomas with Distinction in Piano and Musicology and Concert Performer's Qualification) and the Kharkiv Special Music School for Gifted Children in Ukraine (1994 - Diploma with the Gold Medal in Piano and Composition). Her major piano teachers include Ms. Bella Yukht, Dr. Sergei Polusmiak, the Honored Artist of Ukraine, and Professor Walter Cosand.
Since presenting her first solo recital and winning her first National Composer's Competition in Kiev, Ukraine, at the age 13, Natalya Shkoda performed numerous solo, accompanying and chamber music recitals in Ukraine, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, France, and throughout the U.S. She has appeared as a soloist with the MasterWorks Symphony Orchestra in Houghton, New York, and the Mesa Symphony Orchestra in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. Shkoda has won numerous awards in the areas of performance, composition and musical criticism. She is a Laureate of the National Competitions for the Young Composers in Ukraine (1990 & 1993, Kiev; 1996, Odessa); Winner of the Young Journalists' Contests (1998 & 1999, Kharkiv); Winner of the Joseph and Ida Klatzkin Competitions for the Contemporary American Keyboard Music in both Harpsichord (2000) and Piano (2005); and Winner of the MasterWorks Festival Concerto Competitions in Houghton, New York (both in 1997 & 2000).
Dr. Shkoda's performances and compositions were broadcast by the Kharkiv State Radio and Television Company, the Feodosiya State Radio Company and the Uzhgorod State Radio Company in Ukraine, as well as the KBAQ Production Studio in Phoenix, AZ; the KOHM South Plains Classical Radio Station in Lubbock, TX; the Ukrainian TV Company "Uzir" in Chicago, IL; the BBC Radio 3 "In-Tune" in London, U.K.; the Radio Sweden "Kaleidoscope" in Stockholm, Sweden; and the Radio New Zealand "Classical Morning" in Wellington, New Zealand.
Being in a high demand as an artist and clinician, Dr. Shkoda is regularly invited to present guest artist recitals and master classes throughout the U.S. and to adjudicate various piano competitions. She was invited to participate in the International Symposium "Arnold Schoenberg Reconsidered" (2005) and the International Conference "Schumann’s Perspectives: A View Across the Disciplines" (2006) as well as in the numerous Arizona State Music Teachers Conferences and the International Festivals in her native Ukraine. Dr. Shkoda's most recent performances included recitals at the prestigious Ukrainian Institute of America in New York City, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago and the Washington Group Cultural Fund Recital Series in Alexandria, VA. Prior to her appointment at California State University, Chico, Dr. Shkoda served as a piano instructor at the Kharkiv State University of the Arts in Ukraine, Arizona State University, Scottsdale Community College and Mesa Community College in Arizona. Many of her private students became the winners of various local and state piano competitions and were accepted into the music performance programs at the universities nationwide.
Natalya Shkoda's debut commercial CD featuring the first Western recording of "Eleven Etudes in the Form of Old Dances", Opus 19, by Ukrainian composer Viktor Kosenko was released on the "Toccata Classics" label in London, U.K., in October 2006 and received excellent reviews both in the U.S. and internationally.
FROM THE PRESS
"It has been a long time since I've heard a pianist from Russia/Ukraine that displayed such command of the piano. Natalya Shkoda is polished and involved emotionally in every respect and possesses a full command of her keyboard. Don't be afraid at all to go after this recorded-in-America performance by the Ukrainian pianist, with music composed by the Ukrainian composer on a disc with outstanding documentation manufactured in England! Five stars and totally recommended." (Lance G. Hill, Editor-in-Chief, "Classical Music Guide")
"Ms. Shkoda exhibited brilliant piano technique and great depth of artistic interpretation." (Thaya Salamacha, "Ukrainian Weekly", New York)
"Kosenko's Etudes, Opus 19, demonstrate Natalya Shkoda's impressive pianistic range. Her tone is bright and she navigates the many exposed runs with clarity and precision." (Maggie Williams, "International Piano", London)
"A phenomenal performance of Kosenko's Opus 19 places Natalya Shkoda among the top Ukrainian virtuoso pianists of today." (Bohdan Markiw, "Svoboda", Chicago)