Dr. Vera Oussetsskaia Watanabe
Co-founder, Artistic Director
DMA, (Aspirantura) Ural State Mussorgsky Conservatory
MM, Ural State Mussorgsky Conservatory
BM, Gifted Music School, Ekaterinburg, Russia
Past Teachers
Natalia Pankova, Natalia Litvinova
Biography
As a co-founder of the Gifted Music School, now known as the Peterson School of Music, it was Dr. Watanabe’s vision that started the school She has been pivotal in building the school’s team.
Dr. Watanabe’s students have gained acceptance into top music schools including the Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory of Music, Peabody Institute, Manhattan School of Music, Eastman, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. Her Students have been recognized at national and international competitions, and at every important statewide competition including performances with the Utah Symphony on their annual Salute to Youth program.
Dr. Watanabe is a Steinway Artist.
In 2017, Dr. Watanabe was awarded a Governor’s Mansion Artist’s Award for her foundational contribution to the Gifted Music School.