Alexander Malikov

A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory with Angela Cheng and the Juilliard School with Julian Martin, Alexander Malikov went on to receive an Artist Diploma under Sergei Babayan at the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Doctorate of Musical Arts with Anton Nel at the University of Texas.

As a soloist, recent highlights include a return recital at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheater in Toronto, the Rachmaninov-Paganini Rhapsody with the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Michelle Merrill, and a world premier of a new piano concerto by composer Minho Yoon. Alexander Malikov has been featured as Artist-in-residence on Performance Today with the Minnesota Public Radio, and on both the modern piano and the fortepiano with members of the New World Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas. He has appeared as “Montague Artist” at the Heidelberg University in Ohio, the “Rising Star” series at the Texas State International Piano Festival, the inaugural Banff International String Quartet Festival, the inaugural Wyatt Series Recital in Calgary, and many others.  In 2015, he went on tour across the United States, Canada, and South Korea with cellist Min Kim, performing cello sonatas by Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, and Chopin. Also a composer, he gave the world premier of his own Piano Concerto in 2016 under Gaddiel Dombrowner and the M.U.S.i.C. chamber orchestra in Cleveland. 

A dedicated teacher, Malikov is a recipient of the 2020 YoungArts Educator award. He regularly teaches masterclasses across Canada and the United States, and studied piano pedagogy with Prof. Sophia Gilmson at the University of Texas at Austin.

Malikov is a prize winner of the Manhattan, Knigge, Shean, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM), Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), Rose-Petroff, and Carl Baldassare Composer-Performer competitions. He is a participant at the  Yamaha-Bosendorfer, Dublin, Esther Honens, Naumburg, Gina Bachauer, San Jose, and the Gurwitz international piano competitions.

My priority is that the students enjoy their piano lessons and look forward to them. Together we discover the immeasurable depth and meaning of music. I am fully committed to helping students grow in both musicianship and pianistic skills.

I consider my teaching style a synthesis of the Russian and American schools of piano playing. I am thorough in building a solid foundation of technique. Hanon, including scales and arpeggios, is my primary method. I also ensure that my students are well-rounded in their repertoire, all time periods from baroque to contemporary are explored. I am comfortable preparing students for exams and competitions of all levels.

Proper posture, body awareness and injury prevention are also a major part of my teaching. Feldenkrais is a method I use in my own practice. I make sure that my students learn and internalize a healthy and effective physical relationship with the instrument.