To view the video of Ms R. Gutman performing "Lullaby" by Chopin, go to page "Arts & Science of Teaching"
"...Rozalina Gutman is an accomplished pianist with the special kind of "Russian Accent" that is often called "passion" by many musical critics of modern times..." - said Karl Ulrich Schnabel, internationally renowned pianist and acclaimed master teacher, while signing the recommendation for Ms. Gutman, required to enter the contest for the young performers, that she won shortly after...
During his last visit to San Francisco, internationally renowned conductor and pianistVladimir Ashkenazyhighly praised the Rhapsody "Yearning for Peace", composed by Rozalina Gutman, calling it "...intense, colorful, full of almost shamanic power, as well as demanding virtuosity from the performer...".
"Ms.Gutman's performance of D# Minor Etude by Scriabin is the exception of all rules! This is only possible due to her amazing technique, that is natural and yet so effective, and can be only explained due to the renowned Russian Piano Tradition that she inherited..." - exclaimed Dr. Frank Wilson MD, int'l authority in the field of hand neurology, author of the multi-disciplinary book "The Hand", after hearing and watching Ms. Gutman play this one of the most challenging (even for male pianists) pieces in piano literature, followed by measuring and examining her rather small hands.
SOUND SAMPLES FROM "YEARNING FOR PEACE", RHAPSODY ON JEWISH AND ARABIC TRADITIONAL THEMES, BY MS. ROZALINA GUTMAN
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BIOGRAPHY
(Please, go to other pages of our site for detailed coverage and pictures/videos about the listed info. below)
Ms. Rozalina Gutman was born in Russia, where she studied the art of piano playing since the age of four and later on earned diplomas with honors at Children Music School, Tchaikovsky College of Music in Crimea, and Moscow Teachers' Training University, Music Dept. Since her childhood, both piano performance and composition were big part of her life. She immigrated to US in 1991 as a refugee, being forced to leave her piano in Russia, and had lived in San Francisco Bay Area since that time.
In March 2005 Ms. Rozalina Gutman appeared in the premier performance of her composition for voice and piano "Destination NEVERTHELESS", at the XV Pacific Voice Conference, at Pixar, Emeryville, CA. This innovative piece manifests the idea of inspiration for the creativity to thrive in our lives' the mission pursued by the newly founded & dynamic Non-Profit Foundation "CHARISMA".
Among other music, Ms. Gutman recently composed the original piano piece "Yearning for Peace", the Rhapsody based on Jewish liturgical, Klezmer themes and well-known Arabic song - an abbreviated version of the future ballet score, that she often includes in her programs for the performance venues and fundraising events.
Among her other awards, there are 1st prizes in Chopin and Concerto categories of SF Int'l Concerto Competition. Ms. Gutman performed as a solo pianist through various Bay Area well known venues, such as SF Performances at Six (two consecutive seasons), Noontime Concerts, Concerts at the Englander Victorian Mansion, etc., as well as for many fundraising events benefiting various non-profit organizations such San Francisco Symphony League of Volunteers, Bay Area Council for Soviet Jews (now Bay Area Jewish Rescue and Renewal), Russian-American Cultural Foundation, Russian Fair, etc. Ms. Gutman is in the process of scheduling new performance dates/venues while resuming her performance career after a break related to her car accident. (Please, let us know, if you'd like to be notified about upcoming performances. Please, click on: info@CHARISMAfoundation.org).
During the past years Ms. Gutman became a successful and inspiring teacher while battling with the car accident's injury. She found her other calling through passing the intricate art of piano playing to the students of all ages and levels. Many students of Ms. Gutman made her very proud while playing solo with local orchestras, appearing in master classes with world famous musicians, winning various auditions and competitions, performing at State of California conventions and at various community events, such as Oakland Symphony Family Fair, SF Community Music Center Orchestra recitals and competitions, SF Concerto Orchestra Competitions, Berkeley Youth Arts Festival, Children's Hospital in Oakland, retirement centers as well as many other ones. Also, Ms. Gutman felt passionate about assisting many students in need with various scholarships. Ms. Gutman currently resides in North Berkeley Hills, where she teaches at her private Piano Studio. (To see more info, go to page "The Art and Science of Teaching").
Ms. Gutman has been actively participating in various activities of various educational non-profit organizations. She served as Evaluator for Certificate of Merit Exam for Music Teachers Association of CA in Marin, San Francisco and Santa Clara Counties, as Memorial Scholarship Committee member, as a faculty member at the SF Community Music Center. During her appointment as a Chairperson for the Young Artist Award Competition of the Etude Club of Berkeley, she established Special Prize for the Original Composition (including new pieces in the form of Etude), engaging personal participation of nationally known musicians and patrons of the Arts. (Go to page "MAKING CAUSES RESONATE" to find out about details.)
Ms. Gutman organized various educational public events, that included extensive Summer Training Workshop on Teaching Composition to Children with well known educator Grigory Shatkovsky (in Crimea, USSR), as well as master classes with the Silver Medalist of 10th Van Cliburn Int'l Piano Competition, Yakov Kassman at Russian Center in San Francisco as well as at her Piano Studio.
Ms. R Gutman takes pride in supporting various community causes. Ms Gutman donated CD's with her recordings to the Silent Auction organized by Alice Waters of Chez Panisse Foundation to benefit community activist Phil Sheremeta. She also participated in Multicultural Rally for Peace in Berkeley and in San Francisco, that displayed civilian bus, bombed by terrorists in Israel, offering her performance and CD's with the recording of "Yearning for Peace" to help raise funds to cover the event's costs. Also, Ms. Gutman served as Artistic Advisor for Russian-American Cultural Foundation, collaborating also with the Russian Consulate in San Francisco where she performed to help raising funds.
Ms. Gutman is currently working on releasing the collection of CD's that utilizes her vast training and teaching experience and employs unique and inspiring way of introduction children to the magic of classical music. Also, other recording projects will result in the release of the CD's containing the music that promotes emotional balance, including well known pieces and rarely heard gems from Russian piano literature as well as her original compositions. (Let us know that you'd like to hear about the CD release, and related performances/events - please, e-mail us to be on our mailing list by clicking on:info@CHARISMAfoundation.org )
