Rustam Zeynalov

Biography

Rustam Zeynalov (Baku, Azerbaijan) is an award-winning pianist recognized for his artistry across Europe, Asia, and the United States. A Presidential Scholar of Azerbaijan and laureate of numerous international competitions, he has performed in prestigious venues including the Berlin Konzerthaus, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, and the Vilnius Philharmonic Hall.

He has won top prizes at the Chopin Competition in Estonia, the EPTA Competition in Croatia, and the Young Academy Award in Rome, among others, and has appeared at festivals such as Rostropovich, Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Piano Pic, and Young Euro Classic.

Rustam studied at the Saint Petersburg State Conservatory with Alexander Sandler and completed postgraduate studies at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory with Ruvim Ostrovsky. In 2024, he entered the Graduate Performance Diploma program at the Longy School of Music of Bard College, studying under Donald Berman.

He has taken masterclasses with renowned pianists including Eliso Virsaladze, Oksana Yablonskaya, and Boris Berezovsky, and has performed across more than 15 countries, establishing himself as a versatile and expressive performer.

Teaching Philosophy:

I believe that every student has a unique musical voice, and my role as a teacher is to help them discover and develop it. Technique should serve expression, not the other way around. I focus on building a solid foundation—healthy physical habits, strong listening skills, and musical understanding—while always nurturing creativity and emotional connection to the music. Learning the piano should be both disciplined and joyful, a journey that inspires confidence, curiosity, and lifelong love for music.

Education:

Longy School of Music of Bard College: Cambridge, MA – currently completing

Graduate Performance Diploma (GPD) in Piano Performance

Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory: Moscow, Russia

Postgraduate Diploma

Saint Petersburg State Conservatory: Saint Petersburg, Russia

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance