Shivangi

Shivangi is a classically trained pianist and educator with a rich background in Western classical music. Born and raised in Romania, she received her formal training at Colegiul de Muzică Sigismund Toduță in Cluj. In 2017, she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship, enabling her to advance her studies in the United States at the Sam Houston State University (B.A) and at University of California, Irvine (M.F.A).

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Throughout her educational journey, Shivangi has studied with renowned mentors such as Nina Scolnik, Ilonka Rus, Josu de Solaun, Kei Akagi (pianist of the Miles Davis Band), Jacob Sustaita (conductor of the Pacific Symphony), and Kojiro Umezaki (member of the Silk Road Ensemble). This diverse training has shaped her artistic vision, blending technical mastery with expressive nuance.

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Her performance career spans Europe and America, with appearances at prestigious events including the Enescu Festival (Bucharest), TMEA (Texas, USA), Tele-Espacios (Colombia–USA), UNESCO (BMW), the International Conference "Women at the Piano" (Irvine, California), Culture of Spirit(Rome, Italy), Roots Festival(Amsterdam, Netherlands) and others. Shivangi has performed for members of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, one of Southern California’s leading classical music presenters, and has collaborated as a pianist with the Hour of Power Choir, recognized among the top 20 choirs in the United States in 2023. She has participated as pianist in choral performances of music by Shawn Kirchner and Ola Gjeilo under their artistic guidance.

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A committed collaborator, Shivangi has been actively engaged as a pianist in the contemporary music departments where she performed and recorded new works by emerging composers in Texas and California. Her contributions have been featured in premieres at contemporary music festivals and concerts. Shivangi has collaborated as an accompanist with hundreds of artists, spanning nearly every instrument and voice type, which has given her an extensive familiarity with a wide range of repertoires. She frequently performs as an accompanist in competitions, exams, and concerts, providing attentive and dependable support to soloists and ensembles alike.

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As an educator, Shivangi is passionate about holistic musicianship. She integrates the Alexander Technique, Taubmann Approach, and Body Mapping into her teaching to promote both technical excellence and physical well-being. She has worked with students of all ages and levels, preparing them for competitions, festivals, and prestigious performance opportunities. Shivangi has also served as a graduate assistant at the University of California Irvine in teaching “Class Piano” and “Jazz Theory”.

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In addition to her classical focus, Shivangi is also dedicated to Indian music. She explores this through her work with the International Qawwali Sisters Ensemble, a group devoted to Sufi musical traditions connected to Sahaja Yoga Meditation. The ensemble tours extensively across Europe, sharing this vibrant and spiritual music with diverse audiences.