Marika bournaki biography

Described as “the Celine Dion of classical” by The Huffington Post, Marika Bournaki is at once a world-class performer, dazzling pianist, vivacious young woman and one of the freshest faces on the classical music scene. Ms. Bournaki not only brings distinctive interpretations to favorite standards, but extends her passion for music by commissioning works from younger composers and collaborating with artists from various fields.

Marika Bournaki’s current season includes her debuts with the Bozeman, Duluth Superior, Springfield (MO) and Topeka symphony orchestras, a chamber music program with the Palm Beach Symphony, returns to Boca Raton’s The SYMPHONIA and Canada’s Sinfonia Toronto and programs with her duo partner, cellist Julian Schwarz. Of special note is her continuing survey of Beethoven’s complete 32-work piano sonata cycle, presented by the distinguished Bargemusic in Brooklyn.

Marika Bournaki has appeared as guest soloist with the symphony orchestras of Montréal, Quebec and St. Petersburg along with Romania’s Timisoara Filharmonica, Switzerland’s Verbier Chamber Orchestra and Canada’s Orchestre Métropolitain. In addition to a benefit recital for the Glenn Gould Foundation at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, she has been presented in solo recitals and chamber music collaborations throughout the United States, Canada and the world, including Belgium, England, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Switzerland and South Korea.

A devoted chamber musician, Marika Bournaki performs regularly at Brooklyn’s Bargemusic, the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival and the Frankly Music series in Milwaukee, while serving on the faculties of the Eastern Music Festival and Canada’s Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance. She tours internationally with duo partner cellist Julian Schwarz, and together won 1 prize in the 2016 Boulder International Chamber Music Competition&rsq

With unparalleled technical, musical and communication skills, Marika Bournaki is at once, a world class performer, outstanding pianist, vivacious young woman… and the freshest face on the classical music scene. Marika’s innovative approach to her art and performance is reflected in her recent collaboration, “Let’s Play”, with cutting-edge and world-renowned multimedia creative shop, Moment Factory. Her role as Ambassador to the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s summer event, “A Cool Classical Journey” was an exceptional opportunity to explore new and exciting ways to share her music with the public. Marika not only brings distinctive interpretations to favourite standards, she also extends her passion for music by commissioning works by younger composers and collaborating with artists from various fields.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF STAR

The award-winning documentary, “I am not a rock star”, directed by Bobbi Jo Hart and featuring Marika, has captivated audiences of all ages in festivals around the world. The feature-length film… (see it at http://vimeo.com/50312292) … chronicles Marika’s evolution as an artist from the age of 12 to 20. A runaway success at multiple international film festivals, “I am not a rock star” was screened at, among others, the 30th International Festival of Films on Art in Montreal, the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival in Greece, the Barcelona Music Documentary Film Festival, the DocsDF Festival in Mexico, the Napa Valley Film Festival in California. Marika’s unique approach and intense passion have also been heard over the airwaves on Radio-Canada, Radio-France, BBC, WQXR in New York City, and Toronto’s Classical 96.3 FM. She has been featured on television networks such as ERT, TF1, France 2, CTV, Global, Radio-Canada, CBC, and Canal+.

AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED CLASSICAL PIANIST

Recent performances include a

Position:

Employed Since:

Educational History:

B.M., M.M., The Juilliard School of Music

Professional Highlights:

Pianist Marika Bournaki has been dubbed “The Celine Dion of Classical” by the Huffington Post. As the subject of the feature-length award-winning documentary “I Am Not A Rockstar,” Bournaki has toured internationally as concert pianist and ambassador for the arts. She has empowered youth through her projects “Moi, J’en Parle” and “Let’s Play,” in addition to her work as a member of Piano Six – New Generation, bringing music to underserved populations in Canada. She is an artist-in-residence at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance in Canada and is a member of the Mile-End Trio, Frisson Ensemble, and collaborative piano faculty at the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina. She is represented by Parker Artists, NYC. Visit www.parkerartists.com/Marika-Bournaki.html and www.marikabournaki.com to learn more.

Personal Quote:

It is with great honor and excitement that I am joining the prestigious faculty at Shenandoah Conservatory. I look forward to immersing myself in its thriving, nurturing and enriching environment, as well as supporting the piano division in its pursuit of student growth, experience and excellence. As a proud Winchester resident, I will enjoy sharing great art with the community.