NAOKO ZHEZHA
“Mrs. Naoko is patient and non-judgemental. This is very important when working with children who have their own minds. If not for Naoko, my kids would have probably stopped piano by now.”
“We love Naoko! She is knowledgeable, professional and patient. My child loves piano lesson each week with her!”
Naoko Zhezha, a native of Japan, is a pianist, avid chamber musician, and an enthusiastic piano teacher. As a young pianist in her native Japan, she displayed great promise as an active performer and as awarded pianist. Mrs. Zhezha continued her studies in the United States at the prestigious “Interlochen Arts Academy” in Michigan. While pursuing her music conservatory degrees, she continued to concertize throughout the United States and internationally.
Mrs. Zhezha has received a First Prize at the “Kawai Piano Competition”; Silver medal at the “Student Music Competition” in Japan; the “Joseph and Bess Scharff Level” Piano Award at the Cleveland Institute of Music; Concerto Competition Winner at the Western Michigan University. Her successful tour in Albania in 2013 with the highly esteemed violinist and violist, Mialtin Zhezha, was nominated for the “Best Performance of the Year” award in Tirana, Albania. Other honors include collaborations at the International Gilmore Music Festival, Aria International Summer Academy, Bay View Music Festival, Kirishima International Music Festival in Japan.
A respected pedagogue, she has held teaching positions at Western Michigan University, Rutgers University Extension division, Hunterdon Academy of the Arts, and Crescendo Music Academy. Her teaching excellency has been recognized with “Teaching Excellency Award” from the “Crescendo Festival,” "Golden Era of Romantic Music International Competition" and “YTMA” in New York City. Mrs. Zhezha’s students have excelled in several competitions, where they have been awarded top prizes. Mrs. Zhezha holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and two Masters degrees in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano, respectively from Western Michigan University and Rutgers University.