 Encouraged by her audience acclaim in her astounding array of appearances in multiple concerto recitals, international competitions, and festivals, Irena Portenko has shared her "diligent, tender, and sparkling virtuosity of piano playing" throughout Europe and the United States. She has appeared as a soloist with orchestras under batons of Rossen Milanov, Kenneth Kiesler and Volodymyr Sirenko. Her concerto repertoire includes the most demanding concerti of our times:
Prokofiev's Second Piano Concerto, and Corigliano's Piano Concerto among others.
As an avid chamber collaborator, Ms. Portenko has won numerous prizes, appeared in recitals and enjoyed associations with exciting performers in her native Ukraine, United States and Europe. Her passion and devotion for collaborating and performing the music by contemporary composers has led her to premiering and frequent interpretations of numerous modern works. Ms. Portenko holds Doctorate degrees in Performance and Collaborative Piano from the University of Michigan and from the Ukrainian National Academy of Music, respectively; frequently presents at American and European Conferences, and, currently shares her passion as a teacher in Westchester, NY. In all American premiere of the Triptych "Venetian Blinds" for solo piano by Michael Daugherty, she was recognized by, as: "...the most powerful work on the program...Pianist Irena Portenko's exciting reading unlocked the music's technical challenges." Mike Stryker, Detroit Free Press. Ms. Portenko's performance of The Twenty Four Etudes by Frederick Chopin at Weill Recital Hall ended with a standing ovation and a warm welcome from the demanding New York audience. In the review from June 9th, 2009, following Ms. Portenko's Solo Debut Recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall it was noted that: "...it was well worth attending the recital by the pianist Irena Portenko...played through Chopin’s études with a relaxed and resourceful technique... her playing was admirably honest and clear-textured. Ms. Portenko pulled off a feat that puts her in a select company." Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times For more, visit www.irenaportenko.com. Photo/Pinsky Studio |
 |
| Return to complete Faculty List |
Conservatory faculty are all highly skilled and experienced teachers. Teachers are assigned to maximize the learning experience of each student taking into account the students musical interests and goals, age and scheduling needs. |
|---|
 |
"I am very happy and proud of Jun Luke Foster’s and Benjamin Boventer’s achievements. I taught Jun Luke for 12 years and his acceptance to Juilliard School of Music is a great sign of his musical maturity and accomplishment. He was also accepted to Harvard and Yale. Benjamin was with me for five years. He won a prestigious $40,000 scholarship from Skidmore College for music studies. He was the only pianist in that competition who received this award. He was also accepted at Tufts University. It is very satisfying to know that our students continue to achieve such success." —Svetlana Gorokovich, MCW Faculty |
Irena Portenko
| Piano, Theory
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
 |
|
Music Programs | Music Therapy | Events | Blog Home | About | Faculty | Registration | Get Involved | Donate | Space Rental | Alumni | Press | Contact |  |
|
Music Conservatory of Westchester • 216 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606 914.761.3900 • info@musiced.org |
|
The Music Conservatory of Westchester is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. |
|
Site designed by 744Creative.com |
|