Born in Russia, Irina Moreland attended the St. Petersburg Specialized College of Music for Gifted Children (1978-1985). In the following years she earned her Master of Musical Arts with Honorary Diploma from the world famous St. Petersburg State Conservatory (1986-1991), studying with Natan Perelman, Anatol Ugorski and Gregory Sokolov. Her Doctor of Musical Arts (eq.) from St. Petersburg State Conservatory followed in 1992-95, as well as post graduate studies with M.Voskresensky, A. Skavronsky and M. Pletnev of Moscow State Conservatory (1994-1995).
In 1994, Moreland participated in Rudolf Buchbinder’s outstanding Internationale Meisterkurse Fur Klavier in Zurich. In 1995, she was invited to participate in Salzburg Festival with her performing Mozart’s Concerto in C minor. In 1996, Moreland began her course of studies in America, entering the College of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder, where she studied with such notable musicians as Angela Cheng, Alvin Chaw, Larry Graham, as well as famous jazz musician Greg Dyes. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts in May 2002. While at Boulder, she received the coveted Robin Sawhill Award for the years premiere piano recital and several Distinguished Honorary Awards for the best piano recitals and won a graduate Ekstpand competition.
n academia, Moreland has held the positions of Assistant Professor for the Keyboard Faculty at St. Petersburg State Conservatory; Adjunct Professor for the Colorado School of Mines Choral Department; and, Graduate Assistant and Accompanist at University of Colorado, Boulder. Since 2005, she has taught as an Affiliate Faculty at Colorado Christian University and, since 2007, as an Instructor for the University of Colorado Denver teaching Music Appreciation, Music History and group piano classes. Recently she has been selected to teach at International College at Beijing in January, 2009.
As a soloist, Moreland has successfully toured in Russia, Ukraine, Canada, England, Ireland, Austria, and France with numerous solo, chamber and orchestral recitals. She also had appeared in United States at such venues as Lincoln Center in New York City and Mozarteum Great Hall in Salzburg (Austria). The press has often praised her performances. “Moreland has a palette of musical expression in her playing, allowing her to tackle the greatest works for piano with ease…her performance is brilliant, fascinating to watch and hear her exquisite pianism…” New York Concert Reviews. Specializing in the Classical repertoire, yet constantly searching to meld innovative elements of Jazz and commercial expression into her performance style, Dr. Moreland is an accomplished Keyboard and Music Studies Instructor.
Specializing in the Classical repertoire, yet constantly searching to meld innovative elements of Jazz and commercial expression into her performance style, Dr. Moreland is an accomplished Keyboard and Music Studies Instructor. A proficient performer, with numerous solo, chamber and orchestral appearances, Dr. Moreland has successfully performed in Europe, Central Asia and the United States, appearing in venues from New York City to Salzburg, Dublin to Almaty. Noted European and American Professors, as well as jazz musicians Greg Dyes, Pete Ellingson and prominent contemporary musicians, mentored her. Her use of innovative teaching techniques, including an extensive variety of media tools and methodologies, characterize her teaching strategy of bringing cutting edge, 21st century classroom teaching and technology to the student. Dr. Moreland strives to make the traditional classroom into a fast paced, media driven, contemporary and life altering experience[F1] . Dr. Moreland’s respected instructional and goodwill skills have enabled her to repeatedly represent the College of Arts and Media at the International College of Beijing. A 2011-2012 Fulbright candidate for East Asia, Dr. Moreland was chosen to present at the Spring 2011 International Journal of Arts and Science Conference in Salzburg, Austria, and Fall 2011 in Rome, Italy. Her subjects were “The Future Is Ours? : 21st Century Technology and Instruction in the Performing Arts” and APPLICATION OF 21ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGY TO SUBSTANTIATE PERFORMING ARTS PEDAGOGY OUTCOMES.