FRANZ LISZT INTERNATIONAL PIANO
FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION
at THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

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​​Dr. Ksenia Kosinova​​

​Renowned pianist Ksenia Nosikova has earned widespread acclaim in the world of classical music for her exceptional artistry and profound interpretations. Praised by critics and audiences alike, she has been described as "first-rate" by Fono Forum, "full of dramatic intensity" by International Piano, and a "phenomenal instrumentalist, absorbing, dramatic, compelling, and riveting" by Fanfare Magazine. Nosikova's concert engagements span prestigious venues across the globe, from Shanghai City Hall in China to City Hall Theatre in Hong Kong, Chetham’s International Piano Series in England, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and Sala Cecilia Meireles in Rio de Janeiro, to name a few. Her commitment to musical excellence and education extends to major academic institutions, where she has presented over 190 performances as part of their guest artist series.

Nosikova's extensive and versatile repertoire features both well-known masterworks and lesser-known compositions. With over 30 piano concertos in her repertoire, she consistently delivers programs that present a broad range of musical works. Her creative interests extend beyond live performances to various recording projects, with her works featured on respected labels such as Profil Medien, Hänssler Classic, Albany Records, Centaur Records, and Capstone Records. Her twelve critically acclaimed CD recordings, including the complete three volumes of Années de Pèlerinage by Franz Liszt, have been praised for their outstanding achievements. The 2021 release of her double CD recording, featuring Max Reger's complete four books of Aus Meinem Tagebuch (From my Diary), further adds to her impressive discography. As a member of the Avita Duo, Nosikova's recent collaboration with violinist Katya Moeller on recordings of Twenty-Four Preludes for Violin and Piano, alongside the world premiere of Oskolki by Lera Auerbach on Hänssler Classic (2022), has garnered enthusiastic reviews from prominent critics and reflects Nosikova’s commitment to exploring and promoting new music.
 

Dr. Nosikova graduated from Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory (Summa cum Laude) and the University of Colorado. Influenced by renowned teachers such as Mikhail Voskresensky, Norma Fisher, and Robert Spillman, she currently serves as a Professor and Chair of the Piano Department at the University of Iowa. In the spring of 2025, she was also a guest artist teacher for a 7-week-long residency at the Eastman School of Music. In addition, she has been a guest artist faculty member at several prominent summer programs, including Wiener MusikSeminar International Master Classes, Amalfi Coast International Music Festival, Schlern/ Semper International Music Festival, and PianoTexas International Music Festival and Academy. A passionate music educator, Dr. Nosikova has appeared in over 200 guest artist master classes and has served on numerous international and national judging panels. Nosikova's lasting impact on the next generation of musicians is evident with her students excelling in national and international competitions, earning placements in prestigious music programs, such as Curtis, Juilliard, Colburn, Eastman, NEC, and Peabody, and gaining employment at institutions of higher education worldwide.

Actively engaged in various musical organizations, Nosikova is on the American Liszt Society’s National Board of Directors and is the Artistic Director of the Key Change: Piano Revolutionaries and Piano Sundays at Old Capitol Concert Series. She was recognized as a Steinway Artist and inducted into the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame for her multifaceted achievements and contributions to classical music and education.

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Dr. Michael Boyd​​​

​Steinway Artist Michael Boyd is active as a soloist, collaborative artist, lecturer, teacher, and adjudicator. After graduating from the North Carolina School of the Arts under the tutelage of Bela Nagy, he continued at the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts Winter Program in Canada as an invited student/performer. His studies culminated in the Master’s and Doctoral degrees as well as the Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. While at Eastman, he won first prize as pianist in the Kneisel Lieder Competition and played a radio broadcast recital from Carnegie Hall with Naumburg prize-winning violinist Ian Swensen.

As a concerto soloist, Dr. Boyd has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic, the Milwaukee Symphony, the Toledo Symphony, the Dearborn Symphony, and the Eastman Chamber Orchestra. Solo recitals have taken him across the country to California, New York, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. Most notably, he was invited to perform the original 1838 version of the Liszt Paganini Etudes on the opening concert of the American Liszt Society in San Francisco. In Europe, Dr. Boyd has performed recitals in Austria, Belgium, Greece, and Spain, and recently performed and taught masterclasses in China. His adjudication credits include the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition and the Liszt Garrison Competition at Ohio State University.

Dr. Boyd was named a Distinguished Professor of Piano at the University of Toledo in Ohio in April. He was also a visiting professor at the Eastman School of Music. During the summer, he has served on the faculty of Indiana University’s Summer Piano Academy as well as the Chautauqua Summer Institution. Dr. Boyd has recorded on the VAI label and Fleur De Son Classics. His recording of the Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring for two pianos with pianist Joel Schoenhals was reviewed by the American Record Guide and Clavier magazine, which stated: “The results are impressive and attest to the musicianship and technical skills of these artists”. A solo recording entitled The Art of the Piano Transcription was recently released and is available on all major streaming platforms. Most recently, he has been inducted into the Steinway and Sons Teacher Hall of Fame at a ceremony in New York in October.

ADVISORY JURY (Liszt-Budapest Prize)

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Éva Polgár

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​Éva Polgár has been praised for her “emotional power” (New York Concert Review) and “intelligent interpretations” (Funzine Magazine). Her dedication to her native Hungarian culture resulted in researching Franz Liszt’s music. Her solo album titled Liszt: Harmonies patriotiques et religieuses was released under Hunnia Records. She has appeared on BBC World Service’s program “The Forum: Franz Liszt – Hungarian pianist and painter in sound” as a panelist and expert in the field.

Polgár maintains an active performing career. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Leipzig Gewandhaus, and the Vigadó Concert Hall in Budapest, among other notable venues. Her concerto performances include concerts with such legendary conductors as Okko Kamu and Tamás Vásáry. In the realm of cross-disciplinary endeavors, she collaborates with visual artist Sándor Vály. Their experimental music albums have been broadcast by the Finnish Radio.

Polgár has won top prizes in competitions, including the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition (LAILC). She has been elected co-director of LAILC in 2017, which empowers her to foster young musicians at their early stage of professional career.  A committed educator and adjudicator, she has appeared at masterclasses, festivals, and competitions such as the Bogotá International Piano Festival in Columbia, East China Normal University, Pacific Stars International Piano Competition, Southeastern Piano Festival, and many more. 

A graduate of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest and the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Polgár earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance at the University of North Texas. She is an Assistant Professor of Piano at East Tennessee State University and an elected member of Board of Directors at the Southern California Chapter and the national organization of the American Liszt Society.

Gergely Kovács

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Gergely Kovács’ musical career is marked by numerous international competitions and stage successes. His notable achievements include securing second place at the Chopin Piano Competition in Budapest and being a top prize winner at the International Liszt Piano Competitions in Budapest, Los Angeles, and New York.
 

Kovács embarked on his musical journey at the age of four, studying piano under the guidance of his grandmother. He continued his studies at the Special Talents Department of the Liszt Academy and finished his degrees under the leadership of professors Gyöngyi Keveházi, Gábor Eckhardt, György Nádor, Balázs Réti, Attila Némethy, and Kálmán Dráfi.         
           

As a pianist, Kovács has performed across Europe, as well as in Indonesia, Israel, Singapore, China, and the United States. He appeared at such prestigious venues as the Liszt Academy Grand Hall in Budapest, the Shanghai Concert Hall, and the SOTA Concert Hall in Singapore. He also conducts masterclasses worldwide, sharing his insight and passion for piano with the next generation. He has captivated audiences multiple times at New York's Carnegie Hall, once performing Liszt's E-flat major Piano Concerto with the St. Luke’s Orchestra, conducted by Gábor Hollerung at the Stern Auditorium. His achievements include the Gundel Art Prize, the Junior Prima Prize, and the Cziffra Talent Prize, all of which reflect his exceptional talent and artistic dedication. Gergely Kovács began as a mentored student of pianist Ádám György, scholarship recipient of his Castle Academy, and is now a professor and operational leader of the summer academy.
           

Gergely Kovács's artistry centers on the conveyance of messages through music without words. His goal is to create a relationship between his audience and the music, allowing each listener to translate the experience into their own language, profoundly impacting their heart, soul, and life. The repertoire of his debut solo album, released by Hungaroton, also revolves around this philosophical concept.