Valeriya Kanaeva - Russian musician from Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Graduated from Washburn University in 2012 with Bachelor's in Piano Performance and Violin.
Valeriya began her musical education on piano and violin when she was four years old. While studying music at the Art and Music School, Valeriya participated in many musical festivals held in Dushanbe and won several first place awards. She began studying piano at Washburn University with James Rivers in spring 2006. She is a member of the Washburn Symphony and String Orchestra, and continues to perform in a variety of musical events and festivals held at WU.
In 2008 she performed a piano duo with Cecilia Lau, a student from Hong Kong. They performed at student recitals and “International Celebration of Cultures” events.
In 2011 she performed the Grieg piano concerto with the Washburn Symphony Orchestra as a winner of the Concerto/Aria Competition. In March of 2011, she was chosen by the faculty to appear on the annual student Honors Concert.
In 2012-2013, Valeriya worked as a piano accompanist and orchestra assistant at several schools in Topeka, KS.
In 2013/2014 she performed as a guest violinist in Kinnor Philharmonic Orchestra, Overland Park, KS.
In May 2015, Valeriya graduated from the WU Music Teacher Licensure Program. While working on the program, she served as a concertmaster of WU Symphony Orchestra and as a solo musician.