Justas Dvarionas
Justas Dvarionas, grandson of the famous 20th century Lithuanian composer Balys Dvarionas, was born in 1967 in Klaipėda. From the age of two he was taught music at home by his grandmother - the known pianist and piano professor Aldona Smilgaitė-Dvarionienė. From 1974 to 1985 he studied at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art with Aleksandras Jurgelionis.
Justas already flourished into a skilful performer with his own musical identity at the age of eleven when he represented his country at the "Virtuosi per Musica di Pianoforte" International Piano Competition in Czechoslovakia. From this event Justas returned home as triumphant Laureate.
His extraordinary and growing abilities eventually lead him to the Moscow P.Tchaikovsky Conservatoire for graduate and post-graduate studies, both of which he completed with highest honours (CUM LAUDE) studying under Prof Lev Vlassenko and Mikhail Pletnev. After the initial five years of study, Justas' professor, Lev Vlassenko, found that his young student's "natural talent had bloomed and he had become undoubtedly an accomplished artist." Justas' pianistic and musical abilities were enhanced through his acquaintances with pianist Sviatoslav Richter and Elisso Wirssaladse.
Justas' early career continued successfully. During his final years of study he won the Italian "Viotti" International Piano Competition in 1992. Justas also received special awards from both the Portuguese "Porto" International Piano Competition and the "International M.K. Čiurlionis" Piano Competition in Lithuania, meriting the respect of jury chairman Daniel Pollack: "Justas Dvarionas from Lithuania left me with one of the biggest impressions...[he] has unique interpretation."
Justas also has performed in solo, chamber music or with orchestras in Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Russia, United States of America, Sweden, Norway, Czech Republic, Austria, Peru, England, Japan and more.
Justas Dvarionas is Associated Professor at the Vytautas Magnus University Music Academy, is Visiting Piano Teacher at The Purcell School in London, as well he teaches talented young pianists the M.K. Čiurlionis High School for the Arts in Vilnius. He has also held many Master Classes of his own in Germany, Poland, Norway, France, Russia, Japan, Peru, Great Britain, Lithuania and other countries. Many of his students have been awarded major prizes at prestigious piano competitions.
Justas Dvarionas is Vice-President of EMCY (European Union of Music Competitions for Youth), has served as jury member in many international competitions (like the Gina Bachauer Piano Competition, USA; Aarhus International Piano Competition, Denmark; Liszt Junior Piano Competition, Germany; N.Rubinstein International Piano Competition, France; Pyabhang Sanitwongse Piano Competition, Thailand; International Radio Competition for Young Musicians 'Concertino Praga', Czech Republic; Volodymyr Krainev Competition, Ukraine; Santa Cecilia International Competition Porto, Portugal; PIANALE Competition, Germany, and many others).
These days Justas teaches and plays concerts in Lithuania and abroad, is very active in countries and international cultural and musical life. His last engagements include concerts, teaching and jury activities in Europe, Asia, North and South America.