Oleg Stepanov was born in Riga, Latvia where he graduated from Jazepa Medina Music College studying piano under Joya Lifshitz. Later on he completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory under Professor Lev Vlassenko.

 

In 1988 Oleg won the First Prize and Grand Prize at the prestigious international competition ‘Music de Chambre’ in Florence, Italy. After that he was invited to join a Russian concert organisation ‘Mosconcert’, as a soloist and ensemble player.

 

Since then, Oleg has performed widely throughout the former USSR and recorded for Moscow Radio and Television. He has appeared as a soloist and ensemble player in the former USSR, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. For several years Oleg collaborated with the world renowned cellist Daniel Shafran, performing in the most prestigious venues in Russia and abroad.

 

“Wonderful pianist, whose intellect and flexibility in ensemble produces a deep impression”

Otehstvenen Glass, Bulgaria

 

“An excellent partner...soft and delicate touch...”

Swenska Dangbladed

 

“... A high class pianist... beautiful sonority, artistic assurance, large scale of dynamic expression...”

Granma (Cuba)

 

Oleg is frequently collaborating with Natasha Vlassenko performing two pianos and four hands repertoire. Oleg’s teaching career began at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where he was invited to join the piano department as an assistant professor.

 

Oleg has been teaching at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University as Senior Lecturer since 1992 and currently is a Coordinator of the Young Conservatorium Piano Program. Many of his students have won major national and international piano competitions and scholarships.

 

Oleg Stepanov is joint Artistic Director and Founder of the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition & Festival which was established in 1999.

 

In 2022 Oleg was recognised in the  Queen’s Birthday Honours List and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the performing arts, particularly to piano.