Stella Branzburg Sick began her musical journey in Novosibirsk, Russia, at the esteemed Novosibirsk State Conservatory Preparatory School. After moving to the United States, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, studying with Nelita True and Natalya Antonova. She completed her DMA at the University of Minnesota in 2003, under the tutelage of Alexander Braginsky.
A visionary in the realm of long-distance piano performance and instruction, Stella was using cutting-edge MIDI connectivity and video conferencing technologies to teach and perform remotely well before the COVID-19 pandemic. From her studios in Minnesota, she connected students and audiences across the United States, pioneering an approach that has since become indispensable in modern music education. Since 2004, Stella has served as Managing Director of the International Piano-e-Competition, a globally acclaimed event that embraces modern technology to host “virtual auditions” and share performances with audiences worldwide. Under her leadership, the e-Competition has set new standards for innovation and excellence in the piano world.
A sought-after presenter, Stella has graced major national and international stages, including the College Music Society, Music Teachers National Association, the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, and the European Piano Teachers Association. She is also a published contributor to Clavier Companion and a respected adjudicator for competitions and exams worldwide. In 2015, she was appointed as a Practical Examiner for the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program.
Renowned for her engaging presentations and captivating performances, Stella is an adjunct assistant professor at Hamline University and maintains a thriving private studio in Maple Grove, MN.