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What a wonderful concert we had tonight! Yelena was magnificent, warm, and very powerful!

Natalya Ageyeva, DMA, RSMFS Artistic Director

Yelena's delivery is Carnegie Hall quality and

her playing is completely captivating. I am taken to a different place when she shares her musicianship.

Allan Park, Concert Pianist and Teacher, Seattle

Yelena enlightens the listener as well as charms them. And does it with confidence and humility.

Willard Schultz, Concert Pianist and Master Teacher, Calgary, Canada

Yelena's concert was extraordinary and spectacular... a very magical and moving experience.

Omar Rivas, 2-time World Championship of Public Speaking Finalist

Truly wondrous playing!

...unbelievable clarity...aware of every note and its meaning in the phrase...selfless, honest approach to the music and its message...fingers disappeared and the more important illusion of SOUND as an orchestral possibility, emerged. Yelena's playing transported us.

Deborah Dewey, pianist, Seattle, WA

Dr. Balabanova, pianist and teacher, is absolutely captivating. As the first notes of her imaginative program emerge from the piano, you know you are in for a magical performance. Her sense of musicality, combined with a solid singing tone is extraordinary. But beyond that, she has a way of clarifying the underlying structure of a piece to enhance its beauty as well as to lead the listener to greater depths of appreciation and enjoyment.

Charles P. Cabell, Jr., President, Amateur Pianists International

The piano concert, performed by Yelena Balabanova, was gorgeous... with depth and emotion... sensational performance. Colorado Springs Symphony Guild, CO

Extraordinary performance of outstanding difficulty program. Robert Spillman, Prof. Emeritus, CU-Boulder

Dr. Balabanova generously shared her personal experience and knowledge during workshop on Stage Fright. Practical tips supported by scientific facts were very helpful and left the whole group of teachers hoping to see Yelena again and again with workshops on other subjects. Mills Music Piano Teachers Club, Bothell, WA

I’ve learned so much! You’ve inspired me and renewed my love of the piano. Maxine Fawsett-Heske, DMA, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Thank you for the wonderful presentation, most educational, informative and enjoyable. FRMTA Members, Colorado Springs, CO

I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation you gave to PPMTA on Russian Method of Piano Teaching. Can’t wait to start using your ideas. Jill Hanrahan, NCTM, CSMTA Conference Chairman

My student was especially grateful and said that of all master teachers she had over the years Dr Balabanova was the most helpful! Frances Goei, EMTA Vice-president, Edmonds, WA

" I  want especially to thank you for everything that I have learned under  your tutelage. Twice in the last two months, I have been complimented  specifically on my touch, and how I can bring out such wonderful sounds  from the piano.. I have you to thank for such compliments, as I owe  discovering my musician's ear to your guidance, and playing with my  current touch to your coaching. I really, really love to give people the  kind of joy that shows on their faces when my playing touches them  deeply, and I am much more able to do so because of our time together in  Colorado Springs. Thank you so much!!" - John Saxon, pianist and ICS student

"After   31 years  of physical therapy for the finger with severe injury, my   pianism had not improved. I was then fortunate enough to meet Dr.  Balabanova, an outstanding teacher who was kind enough to take on an  adult student with many bad habits. After two years of high quality  instruction, I can play for hours without any strain on the hands, arms  or back and actually enjoy playing. The injured finger has continued to  improve flexibility and my hands are very strong and controlled, plus on  the side: I can open almost any jar!"

Pat M., ICS student