about | milana

about

Milana Strezeva is an accomplished pianist, founding member of the Manhattan Piano Trio, and co-founder of the Grand Piano Series in Naples, Florida. Milana's experience as a stellar performer and strategic arts executive has come together at the Grand Piano Series, where she has demonstrated an innate ability to foster collaborations and contribute positively to community enrichment through music.

Under Milana’s excellent stewardship and an unwavering commitment to artists, the Grand Piano Series has grown and flourished since its founding in 2016. As President and Artistic Director of the organization for the past eight years, Milana has demonstrated a meticulous approach to cultivating both fiscal health and innovative growth, garnering admiration across Southwest Florida and beyond.

Milana's tenure has been marked by a blend of artistic fervor and robust financial stability, achieved through her disciplined approach to finances. Despite facing formidable challenges, including the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022, Milana has remained steadfast in prioritizing artistic excellence, community engagement, and organizational development, enabling the Grand Piano Series to thrive.

The Grand Piano Series is committed to presenting established artists of the highest caliber as well as exciting artists who are at the earlier stages of their careers. The 2023/2024 Grand Piano Series artists include Martín García García, Eric Lu, the Callisto String Quartet, and Clayton Stephensen, a Van Cliburn International Piano Competition finalist (2022). The Series is proud to be one of only seven institutions in the United States to own a Fazioli F308, the longest piano produced in the world.

Praised by the critics for her “technically fluid, dramatically convincing, and sonically full-bodied supportive collaborations” (Boston Globe), Milana Strezeva is a Moldovan-American pianist. At the age of 11, she began playing chamber music with her clarinetist father and her mother, a renowned soprano, Svetlana Strezeva. Milana’s love for family collaboration eventually grew into a passionate advocacy of vocal and instrumental chamber music.

A founding member of the award-winning Manhattan Piano Trio, one of the most creative and dynamic ensembles in America, Milana has performed in more than 30 American states, in Australia, South Africa and Italy, and in venues such as Alice Tully Hall (Lincoln Center), Merkin Hall (Kaufman Music Center), and the Ravinia Festival (Chicago). The Washington Post described the Trio as “impressive” and “outstanding”, while the Sarasota Herald Tribune said “one seldom is privileged to enjoy music of such a wide range of styles performed with self-effacing skill and relaxed assurance.” A recording of Schumann and Chopin trios in honor of the composers’ bicentennials was released on the Marquis Classics label in 2009. Manhattan Piano Trio was formed in 2004 and enjoyed an active performing career until 2020.

Milana is a recipient of Grand Prizes at the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Listeners Choice Award in Melbourne, IBLA International Competition as a vocal collaborator, and Arts Recognition and Talent Search Award. Among the prominent venues in which she has performed are - Carnegie Hall (New York), Jordan Hall (Boston), Kravis Center (West Palm Beach), Gusman Hall (Miami); Shenzhen Concert Hall (China), South Melbourne Town Hall (Australia), Linder Auditorium (South Africa).

Milana has received her training at The Juilliard School as a student of Bella Davidovich and Julian Martin. Milana lives in Naples, Florida with her husband Raniero Tazzi.