Xenia Pestova Bennett is a New Zealand pianist and composer who is best known for her contemporary keyboard repertoire.

Education and career

Pestova Bennett studied piano and composition in New Zealand, the UK, Canada. She received a PhD in piano performance from

McGill University McGill University (French: Université McGill) is an English-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821 by royal charter,Frost, Stanley Brice. ''McGill University, Vol. I. For the Advancement of Learning, ...

. Since graduating from university she has received prizes at numerous piano competitions, including the 2003 Messiaen International Piano Competition, the KeriKeri Piano Competition of New Zealand and first prize Xavier Montsalvatge International Piano Competition. Pestova Bennett been a featured artist at various concert halls including appearances at the Sounthbank Centre, National Concert Hall in Dublin,

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is a concert and arts venue located in Glasgow, Scotland. It is owned by Glasgow City Council and operated by Glasgow Life, an agency of Glasgow City Council, which also runs Glasgow's City Halls and Old Fruitmarket ...

Philharmonie Luxembourg The Philharmonie Luxembourg, also known officially as the Grande-Duchesse Joséphine-Charlotte Concert Hall (, ), is a concert hall located in the European district in the Luxembourg City quarter of Kirchberg, Luxembourg, Kirchberg. Opened in 2005 ...

and the

RTÉ Concert Orchestra The RTÉ Concert Orchestra is a professional radio orchestra in Ireland and is part of RTÉ, the national broadcaster. Since its formation as the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra in 1948, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra has grown from a small studio-bas ...

. She has also held residencies at experimental music venues such as

Cafe OTO Cafe Oto is a venue for free jazz, experimental and free improvisation performances located in the Dalston district of London, England. Founded in 2008 Cafe Oto (''sound'' or ''noise'' in Japanese) is located in the heart of Dalston and provide ...

. Pestova Bennett is well known for premiering new music on the Magnetic Resonator Piano, an instrument made by engineer and composer Andrew McPherson. She released her solo record ''Atomic Legacies'' on Diatribe Records.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bennett, Xenia Pestova 21st-century musicians Women pianists McGill University alumni New Zealand pianists 1970s births Living people