Version 2Irina Bendetsky began her musical training in Moscow at the age of four. Her first teacher was a student of the renowned piano pedagogue Heinrich Neuhaus. After graduating from the prestigious Gnessin State Music College, she was accepted into the Gnessin Conservatory of Music, where she studied under Vladimir Tropp. In 1984, she graduated with the Red Diploma—an honor awarded only to those qualified as a concert pianist, accompanist, chamber musician, and teacher.

Irina has performed with orchestras in both Russia and the United States, appearing as a soloist in concertos by Liszt, Ravel, Beethoven, Bach, and Shostakovich, as well as the famously demanding Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 (“Rach 3”).

After relocating to San Diego in 1990, Irina joined the faculty at the University of San Diego, where she taught for ten years. She now runs a private teaching studio in San Diego. Her students have won international competitions and performed with major orchestras in Los Angeles, New York, and across Europe. As a sought-after accompanist, she has helped prepare many top musicians for elite competitions, including the International Tchaikovsky Competition

In 2019, Ms. Bendetsky expanded her teaching practice to include remote instruction.

In addition to teaching, Irina continues to perform in the San Diego area as part of Duo Yrion with Ondrej Lewitt. Please visit the link for upcoming performances.