Dr. Sergey Kuznetsov started his musical education at the age of 5 at the School of Music in Alma-Ata, a provincial town of former Soviet Union and later was admitted to the Tchaikovsky Conservatory to study with an outstanding professor Mikail Voskresensky, the prize winner of the first Cliburn competition in 1962. In 2003 Sergey Kuznetsov has been awarded his Piano Performance Diploma “Summa Cum Laude”.
In 2002 Sergey received the prestigious Lili Kraus Scholarship at Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX) and commenced his Artist Diploma studies with Professor Tamás Ungár, Artistic Director of famous Piano Texas Summer Academy, formerly known as Cliburn Institute. Few years later after winning a conspicuous scholarship, Sergey was widening his education under the guidance of Joaquín Achúcarro at Dallas Southern Methodist University. Sergey completed his Doctoral Degree in Piano Performance at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles under the guidance of a legendary pianist Daniel Pollack, who has been named as one of the prize winners of the first Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in 1958 in Moscow.
Additionally Dr. Sergey Kuznetsov has received an academic degree in music industry, music theory and electro acoustic media at USC.
Dr. Sergey Kuznetsov has performed extensively throughout the world, both as a soloist and chamber musician. Notable events included winning international prizes at China International Piano Competition (Beijing, 2004), Hilton Head International Piano Competition (USA, 2003), Caltanissetta International Competition (Italy, 1999), Young Texas Artist Competition in Conroe, TX (2005), concerts and tours in Italy, France, USA, Canada, China, Israel, Mexico, Costa Rica, Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Lithuania, Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Spain and Greece. After winning the 3rd China International Piano competition, Sergey has become a frequent performer in China. He has performed as a soloist with Beijing Symphony, Shenzhen Symphony and Taipei Symphony orchestras. He was invited to make studio recording for a young artist program in the Radio & Television (CCTV) in Shenzhen. Sergey also worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Southern California and organized successful chamber music ensembles in Los Angeles. In August 2008 his trio XYZ has toured France and collaborated with a number of famous French musicians.
During his tenure in the United States, Dr. Sergey Kuznetsov has always enjoyed teaching and advocating classical music amongst various groups of people. In 2003, he participated in a series of educational projects “Musical Awakenings” in collaboration with Van Cliburn Foundation in Fort Worth, TX. The mission was to bring classical music to children whose parents can't afford education. As a result the project had become so popular in Texas that Sergey had to reach further and travel around the state with his lectures and concerts. Several of his students have won national and international prizes that supported their way towards studies in music. Dr. Kuznetsov’s approach in piano pedagogy is to show the students how great and large the world of music actually is. He inspires young pianists to learn and perform by building new connections, professional networks and “bridges” between young talents and their audiences.
Currently Dr. Sergey Kuznetsov serves as a piano faculty at Lonestar College Montgomery in Houston, TX, Guest Artist at Costa Rica Piano Festival, Triumph Piano Festival Philadelphia, “The Magic of Piano” in Mexico, “ Elite Piano Institute” in Los Angeles and Artistic Director of Elite Music and Fine Arts in Houston.
