Laurel School of Music is proud to celebrate longtime piano faculty member, Elena Piastro, and her retirement, with a recital and reception at Hamline University’s Sundin Hall.

The event, which features several of Ms. Piastro’s highly accomplished students and former students, is free and open to the public.

Ms. Piastro began her teaching career in Russia at the age of 17. Completing her own studies at the Music Conservatory of Minsk, Russia, Ms. Piastro taught throughout Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union, Europe, including in Germany and Finland, and for twenty-three years at the Okhtinski Center for Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia, before moving to the United States.

Many of Elena’s students have gone on to study at top music schools and conservatories, and pursue successful careers in music. She has also cultivated a lifelong love for music in many who chose to pursue other disciplines.

Revered as a brilliant and nurturing teacher, her students have described her as living and breathing music, guiding her students with love and a deep knowledge of classic piano repertoire. A teacher steeped in the Russian style of pedagogy, Ms. Piastro’s career includes leading many young artists through the history of Western classical piano music joyfully and with love.

Please join us to celebrate Ms. Piastro’s 63 year long teaching career and subsequent retirement!