Dr Loreta Kovacic

Pianist

701 Byrne St.

 Houston, Texas 77009

(713) 864-2752

www.AlchemistPiano.com

 

Born in Croatia in 1964, an American citizen living in Houston, Texas since 1989.

                                                                                       

EDUCATION______________________________________

 

1996                                Doctor of Musical Arts, Rice University.  Piano study under Dr. Robert Roux.

 

1988                                Master of Music in Piano Performance, Wichita State University.       

                                        Piano study under Dr. Andrew Trechak.

 

1985                                Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Zagreb Music  

                                        Conservatory.  Piano study under Mrs. Zvjeszdana Basic.

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE_____________________________________________

 

1990 – Present              Director of “Alchemist Piano Studio” with biannual student performances in Houston (at Rice, St Thomas and Museum of Fine Arts) and outside Houston (Interlochen 2002).  Collaborates with students on original music.

 

1990 – 2000                    Private piano studio as well as instruction at Mozart Children’s Conservatory (Houston, TX).

 

1990 – 1995                    Music instructor in Group Piano, Music Theory and private lessons at Houston Community College.

 

1986 – 1992                    Graduate teaching assistant in Group Piano, Music Theory and private lessons at Wichita State University, Arizona State University and Rice University.

 

1984 – 1986                    Piano faculty in applied piano for intermediate and advanced students (ages 6 – 16) at Music School Ferdo Livadic, Zagreb, Croatia.

 

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE___________________________________                                                                                                             

 

2006                            Solo concerts at Christ the King Lutheran church and Rice University in Houston

 

2006                           Mini concerts for charities: Zena Garrison, Stages theatre, Initiatives for children,

 

2006 and 2005            Interviews on KUHF about performance and composition

 

2005                            The “Tortured Tendon Tour” in New Jersey and Houston

 

2005                            New CD recording entitled “piano Notturno”

 

2005                                Performance for Glass Free Grounds art Gala and Art Guys opening 

 

2004                                Aurora Picture Show performed as ‘Sister Loreta’ in a performance art project Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping.    

 

2003                                Aurora Picture Show live music score for Rubbery Pneumatic Cine Kisses and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

 

2003                                ‘One way to Steinway’ concert series performed monthly in Houston.

 

2000                                Croatian Concert Tour – classical and 20th century music.

 

1998                                Recorded and released a CD featuring works of Prokofiev, Papandopulo, Schubert and Beethoven.

 

1998                                Lecture /recital at USA Croatian symposium in St Paul, Minn as a cultural Ambassador.

 

1997                                Solo debut recital at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY.

 

1996                                Completed Doctoral dissertation of Papandopulo’s piano music.

 

1986 - Present               Promoting works of contemporary Croatian composer Boris Papandopulo through lecture recitals throughout the United States.

 

1989 – Present              Premiered works of American composer Paul Cooper, Reynaldo Ochoa and Michael Mathis.

 

1980 – Present              Performing standard piano repertoire especially Beethoven and Prokofiev throughout the US and Europe.

 

1980 – 1996                    Performed for Public Television programs in Houston, TX and Zagreb, Croatia.

 

1992 and 1994               Finalist in Concerto competition in Shreveport, Louisiana.

 

1993                                Finalist in Concerto competition in Austin, TX.

 

1992                                Finalist in Music Teachers National Association, Regional competition in Fargo, North Dakota.

 

1988                                First prize in Concerto competition in Wichita, Kansas.

                                        Winner of Wallingford solo piano competition in Wichita, Kansas.

 

1982 – 1985                    Active performer in Weimar Music Festival (Germany) coached by Mr. Jacob Lateiner of Julliard School.

 

1983                                Finalist in Young Artist Chamber Music Competition in Zagreb, Croatia

 

ACTIVITIES___________________________________________________________

 

2006                      Started composing “Suite for friends” for piano and voice.

 

2005                       Participated in an art group show at the Art Car Museum (portraits).

 

2002                       Published an article in Aikido Today magazine entitled “Piano Black Belt”.

 

2001 – 2002            Interpreted and translated technical materials for the Chaffin Law firm (in Houston, and Zagreb).

 

1999                         Participated with original cartoon books in the art show “Shanty fest”.

 

1984 – Present        Composing music for children utilizing both acoustic and electronic media.

 

1995 – 2000            Member of the Ueshiba dojo Aikido organization (martial arts)

 

1995                       Wrote a book of original piano compositions for children.

 

1993 – 1994            Published articles on music education in ‘Tonovi’ (Croatian music periodical)