2025 ANPCC

Well-known Latvian-Australian pianist Oleg Stepanov was the Grand Prix winner and First Prize recipient at the prestigious Vittorio Gui International Chamber Music Competition in Florence, Italy. Following this achievement, he was invited to become a soloist with Mosconcert—one of the most prestigious concert organizations in the Soviet Union. Since then, he has performed extensively across the Soviet Union and internationally, with concert engagements taking him to Germany, Sweden, Italy, China, Taiwan, Cuba, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Georgia, Estonia, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, New Zealand, and Australia. 

For many years, Oleg Stepanov collaborated with world-renowned cellist Daniil Shafran, performing in prestigious venues worldwide, including the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and the Saint Petersburg Philharmonia. Together, they made numerous radio and television appearances and recordings. 

Later, Oleg was invited to join the faculty of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory as an Assistant Professor, marking the beginning of his teaching career. 

Since 1992, Oleg Stepanov has resided in Australia, where he taught at the Queensland Conservatorium and Young Conservatorium for more than 30 years. Many of his students have won major national and international piano competitions and scholarships. 

One of his most outstanding students, Ayesha Goff, the First Prize winner of the 2015 Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition, was invited to perform with the Russian National Orchestra under the baton of Mikhail Pletnev at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. Her performance was highly acclaimed by critics in Musical Life magazine: 

‘Her performance on December 24 of Liszt’s First Concerto left a delightful impression of a solid pianistic school, a good balance of virtuoso brilliance and attention to cantilena, sensitivity to the conductor’s intentions, and the necessary confidence in playing with the orchestra.’ 

Oleg has given numerous masterclasses in Australia and internationally, in countries such as Germany, Austria, Russia, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Latvia, Georgia, Estonia, and New Zealand. He has also served as a jury member for several prestigious competitions, including the Rome International Piano Competition in Italy, the Singapore International Music Competition for Piano and Violin, and the Goma National Piano Duo Competition in Japan. 

Born in Riga, Latvia, Oleg graduated from the Jāzeps Mediņš Music College, where he studied piano under Joya Lifshitz. He later completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory under the legendary Professor Lev Vlassenko. 

In addition to his solo performances, Oleg frequently collaborates with Natasha Vlassenko. For many years, their piano duo has captivated audiences in Australia and internationally. 

In 1999, Oleg Stepanov and Natasha Vlassenko became Founders and Artistic Directors of the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition. The Competition has since become Australia’s largest national piano event. Over the years, the Competition has expanded to include the Young Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition and, more recently, the Australian National Piano Competition for children, also known as Little Lev. These competitions, alongside substantial educational programs, form the Lev Vlassenko Piano Academy and Festival. 

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition attracts the finest young pianists from Australia and New Zealand, aged 6 to 30, and has played a crucial role in raising the standard of piano playing in both countries. Many past prize winners and participants have gone on to achieve remarkable success, including winning major prizes at international piano competitions and festivals. 

In 2022, Oleg Stepanov and Natasha Vlassenko were recognized in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for their service to the performing arts, particularly piano.