Olena Blauliac

Olena Blauliac, a distinguished Ukrainian pianist, has established a dynamic career in both performance and education in Houston. Her orchestral debut in 2001 marked a pivotal momentin her career, featuring a mesmerizing rendition of Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 at the renowned Vladimir Horowitz Summer Festival. Olena’s solid musical foundation was
established at the prestigious Lysenko Special Music Boarding School in Kyiv, under the mentorship of Sergei Ryabov. Her profound passion for music, instilled by her pianist mother and a guild of influential mentors, has been the cornerstone of her career, guiding her evolution into a respected and accomplished musician.

Olena’s academic and professional journey in music began with her graduation as a gold medalist from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Kyiv in 2009, where she earned her first master’s degree in Piano Performance. Her extraordinary talent has led her to win multiple prestigious national and international piano competitions. These accolades include first place at
the 2003 International Chamber Music Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia; the 2004 II Zatin International Competition in Ukraine, the Ella Phillip Competition in Romania in 2007, and the Sam Houston State University Concerto Competition in 2018 with her rendition of Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto being particularly noteworthy.

Beyond competitions, Olena has been a sought-after guest artist at various international music festivals, notably the Ciudad Jamilena in 2008 and 2009, and Málaga Clasica in Spain in 2016. Her performance career is marked by a series of recitals across the United States, Europe, and South America. A highlight of her international engagements includes her participation in a
diplomatic mission organized by the Norwegian Embassy in Guatemala in 2016. During this mission, she gave a series of masterclasses at the Guatemala City Conservatory and performed in a charity concerts.

During her time in Spain from 2010 to 2016, Olena actively engaged in the music scene as a performing artist. She collaborated with notable violinists such as Jesus Reina and Anna Margrethe Haugland Nilsen. Additionaly, she served as a collaborative pianist at the Ivan Galamian Academy in Málaga.

In 2016, Olena began a new phase of her musical journey at Sam Houston State University, Texas. There, under the guidance of the esteemed Spanish pianist Josu de Solaun, she furthered her education and passion for music, earning her second master’s degree in Piano Performance by 2018. Her time at the university was marked by rapid professional growth, leading to her
joining the piano faculty as both an instructor and a collaborative pianist. There she took on the role of music director and pianist for Sam Houston State’s Opera projects, notably Leonard Bernstein in 2017 and Hansel and Gretel in 2018. 

Olena’s creative ethos, merging musical excellence with a deep sense of social responsibility, is vividly expressed in her role as the co-founder of the Knight-Blauliac duo, alongside violist Nina Knight. This collaboration was born out of a shared vision to leverage their musical talents for philanthropic purposes. In their inaugural season in Spring 2022, the duo concentrated theirefforts on raising awareness and support for the international refugee crisis, with a special focus on Ukrainian refugees, a cause close to Olena’s heart. Their program, No Way Home, featured music by composers who were torn away from their homes and found solace in writing music. The program included poignant works by Paul Hindemith, Rebecca Clarke, George Enescu, and Valentyn Silvestrov, mirroring the duo’s humanitarian aspirations.

In her journey as a solo artist, Olena has showcased her versatility and distinctive musical voice. Her solo concert performances, including those at the Hobby Center, the Candlelight Concert Series in Houston, Kawai Piano Gallery, and the Moores Opera House. Olena’s most recent engagement as a soloist with the symphony orchestra was her performance of Tchaikovsky's Third Piano Concerto under the baton of Franz Anton Krager. The concert took place in March 2023, featuring the symphony orchestra of the University of Houston in collaboration with the Houston Ballet Academy. Currently, Olena is in the final stages of her Doctoral degree in Piano Performance at the University of Houston, under the mentorship of Professor Timothy Hester. Her academic pursuits include a thesis dedicated to the works of Nikolai Medtner, with her graduation scheduled for May 2024. In parallel to her studies, Olena holds the position of adjunct faculty member at Lone Star College in Kingwood. Additionally, she enriches the musical landscape as an artist in residence at KMC Kingwood. In this multifaceted role, she contributes her talents as a pianist and organist, while also serving as a music ambassador, fostering a deeper appreciation, and understanding of music within the community. 

Aside from her musical pursuits, Olena enjoys a range of activities that enrich her life. She finds tranquility in nature and yoga, and excitement in traveling and exploring new cultures. A keen reader and podcast enthusiast, she also values her relaxation time, particularly moments spent with her cherished pug, Daria.