A child prodigy studying piano and composition since the age of six, Faina Lushtak’s concert performances have inspired audiences in her native Russia and throughout Austria, Italy and throughout the United States. Lushtak will perform a guest piano recital at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the University of St. Thomas’ Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon.

Lushtak was born and raised in the Soviet Union. She graduated from the Stolyarskii Special Music School for Musically Gifted Children and later earned her degrees in piano performance and composition from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Lushtak became a faculty member of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and performed throughout the Soviet Union until emigration to the United States in 1978.

She has performed both as a solo recitalist and as guest artist with numerous symphony orchestras under the batons of distinguished conductors.

A dedicated teacher, Lushtak is the Downman Professor of Music at the Newcomb Music Department of Tulane University, where she heads the piano division and is music director of Tulane’s Concert Piano Series. Lushtak was on the faculty of the Schlern International Music Festival in Italy and is a Steinway Artist.

Jasmine Hatem, piano instructor and accompanist at UST, is Lushtak’s former student and invited her to perform at St. Thomas.

“She was a masterful teacher who was demanding in the best possible way,” Hatem said. “Being exposed to her beautiful pianism and musicianship was priceless.  I am so excited that the students participating in the master class will be able to experience her magic.” 

The St. Thomas Music Department works to find artists to inspire and uplift the UST campus community, and Houston community, through music and song. Guest recitals and master classes are sponsored by the Music Department. Master class attendees include UST students, UST Music Preparatory School students and some performing arts high school students.