A Rising Star Entertains at the Manor

by Robert Mumby

Iryna Kudielina has given three concerts to date at the Manor: first with other students of Dr. Alexander Tutunov, Professor of Music and Artist in Residence, at Southern Oregon University; then with Dr. Tutunov, followed by a solo performance; then on April 6 she played with Dr. Brian Hall and Dr. Tutunov. Her performances drew rave reviews from our residents and they look forward to her return this summer with a new trio she has formed.

Iryna at the Manor Auditorium.

Iryna was born in the Ukraine and started playing piano when she was six years old. She studied music throughout her school years and then attended the Kotlyarevsky Kharkiv National University of Arts where she graduated with honors. In 2019 Iryna won the Erasmus+ Project Competition and then moved to Porto, Portugal, to study at the Superior Conservatory. Returning to Ukraine and her alma mater, she took the position staff accompanist and worked as an accompanist in the Kharkiv Secondary Specialized Music School.

In 2022 she was invited to return to Portugal to obtain a Master’s degree in Piano Performance. She won two first prizes in piano competitions. Currently, thanks to the SOU Foundation, Dr. Tutunov and others, Iryna was able to come to SOU to work on an advanced degree in piano performance under Dr. Tutunov.