View source for Kadisha Onalbayeva

[[File:Onalbayeva, Kadisha Photo (1).jpg|thumb|Kadisha Onalbayeva]]
'''Kadisha Onalbayeva''' (born 1972 in [[Zhetisay]], [[Kazakhstan]]) is a pianist and composer.

== Early life and education ==

She began her musical training at age five, when she was recruited to attend the exclusive Zhubanov School for Talented Children in [[Almaty]], Kazakhstan.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Республиканская казахская специализированная музыкальная школа-интернат для одаренных детей им. А.Жубанова|url = http://zhubanov.kz|website = zhubanov.kz|access-date = 2016-01-26}}</ref> While at the Zhubanov School, she excelled in piano and composition, garnering awards including prizes from the Soviet Union’s New Talent competitions, Kazakhstan national piano competitions and other competitions and festivals in Central Asia, Germany, Turkey, Russia, and Uzbekistan.  After graduating from the Zhubanov School, Kadisha entered the [[Kurmangazy District|Kurmangazy]] National Conservatory of Music.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Kurmangazy kazakh national conservatory -  Welcome to Kurmangazy Conservatoire|url = http://www.conservatoire.kz/index.php?id=1352|website = www.conservatoire.kz|access-date = 2016-01-26}}</ref>

In 1988, Onalbayeva was presented the President’s Award for Young Artists and Chevron Award for Talented Students in piano and composition. After immigrating to the United States in 2003, she earned dual M.M degrees in composition and piano performance at the [[University of New Orleans]], Louisiana (2005, 2006), followed by a DMA in piano performance in 2010 from [[Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Sofia Gubaidulina: Chaconne for Solo Piano in The Context of Her Life and Work|url = http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-04052010-231449/|website = etd.lsu.edu|date = 2010-04-07|access-date = 2016-01-28|first = Kadisha|last = Onalbayeva-Coleman}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title = Music Faculty - Kadisha Onalbayeva|url = http://pensacolastate.edu/sites/mt/bios/mfac_bios_onalbayeva.asp|website = pensacolastate.edu|access-date = 2016-01-28}}</ref>

== Career == 

Throughout her career, Onalbayeva has participated in festivals of new and classical music as composer, performer and festival organizer throughout Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Costa Rica, Austria, and England. She was commissioned by the Kazakhstan National Philharmonic Orchestra in 2013 to write a symphonic poem, which she titled ''Zherym'' (My Motherland). This new work premiered in May 2014 and was performed by the Kazakhstan National Philharmonic Orchestra.<ref>{{Citation|title = "ZHERYM" SYMPHONIC POEM BY KADISHA ONALBAYEVA|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DawF_QgfTlc|date = 2014-06-05|accessdate = 2016-01-26|last = ProPianist777}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title = Казахская Государственная Филармония им. Жамбыла {{!}} Жамбыл атындағы қазақ мемлекеттік филармониясы|url = http://fil.kz|website = fil.kz|access-date = 2016-01-26}}</ref>  She has performed  with the University of Mobile Orchestra, the Mobile Symphonic Band, the Pensacola Civic Band, the Albany Symphony Orchestra (Georgia),<ref>{{Cite web|title = OPENING FIREWORKS: Albany Symphony Orchestra opens season with Fire|url = http://www.albanyherald.com/news/opening-fireworks-albany-symphony-orchestra-opens-season-with-fire/article_b75c898d-f50d-5d7f-983f-08f7145af963.html|website = Albany Herald|access-date = 2016-01-28|first = Jim|last = Hendricks}}</ref> Kazakhstan National Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the [[Astana]] Philharmonic Orchestra. Chamber performances include collaborations with the [[Gaziza Zhubanova]] String Quartet in Kazakhstan, the Emerald Coast Trio, Gulf Coast Virtuosi, and violinist [[Emanuel Borok]], among others. She is also an international piano performance adjudicator, clinician, and lecturer.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Music Faculty - Kadisha Onalbayeva|url = http://pensacolastate.edu/sites/mt/bios/mfac_bios_onalbayeva.asp|website = pensacolastate.edu|access-date = 2016-01-28}}</ref>

In 2013, Onalbayeva became Kazakhstan's first [[Steinway & Sons|Steinway]] Artist.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Steinway Artists - Last name begins with “O”|url = http://www.steinway.com/artists/solo-profile/o/KadishaOnalbayeva|website = www.steinway.com|access-date = 2016-01-26}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title = Впервые почетного звания Steinway  Artist удостоена пианистка из Казахстана Хадиша Оналбаева|url = http://m.inform.kz/ru/article/2525892|website = m.inform.kz|access-date = 2016-01-26}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title = Kadish Onalbayeva: Steinway Artist No. 1,601 - Latest News & Announcements|url = http://www.lsualumni.org/news/Kadish-Onalbayeva-Steinway-Artist-No-1601|website = www.lsualumni.org|access-date = 2016-01-26}}</ref>  She currently serves on the faculty as Professor of Music at the [[University of Mobile]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Kadisha Onalbayeva - University of Mobile|url = http://umobile.edu/cpa-faculty-bios/kadisha-onalbayeva-2/|website = University of Mobile|access-date = 2016-01-26|language = en-US}}</ref> in addition to being President and Founder of the Gulf Coast Steinway Society. <ref>{{Cite web|title = Gulf Coast Steinway Society, Mobile, AL|url = http://www.gulfcoaststeinwaysociety.org|website = www.gulfcoaststeinwaysociety.org|access-date = 2016-01-26}}</ref>

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan recently filmed a full-length documentary on her life and musical career titled "Independent National’s Heritage." This video was released in 2015 in both Kazakh and Russian.<ref>{{Citation|title = Kadisha Onalbayeva  -Хадиша Оналбаевa  "Independent National’s Heritage" ( English subtitle)|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfcSuZu3r5I&sns=em|date = 2015-07-18|accessdate = 2016-01-26|last = ProPianist777}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{official|www.kadishaonalbayeva.com}}

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[[Category:Articles created via the Article Wizard]]
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani pianists]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani composers]]