Ms. Nadia 

Instructor of Piano, Music Theory, Chamber Music, and Accompanist

Aspirantura (Eqv. Doctoral Degree), State Herzen Pedagogical University, Russia

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Since 2022, Nadezhda Chestnova has been living in Hong Kong and teaching at the Russian Sound Music Academy. She prepares students of all ages for piano examinations and competitions at different levels. During this time, more than 20 of her students have received honours diplomas in their exams. Every year, her students also win prizes at the Hong Kong Music Festival and other international competitions.

Nadezhda’s teaching combines careful technical training with musical expression and performance confidence, helping students achieve their individual goals on stage and in examinations. She also serves as a jury member for international competitions in Hong Kong and Macau.

 

Nadezhda is an experienced piano teacher, accompanist, performer, and music researcher. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education and completed postgraduate study in art history at the University of Music, Theatre and Choreography in St. Petersburg (Russia). She also taught at the chamber music department there from 2012 to 2022, while also working at the music school. Her students have won 23 international competitions in Russia, Italy, and Belgium.

 

As a performer, Nadezhda has appeared in concerts in Russia, France, Belgium, Italy, Hong Kong, China and the United States. She has won prizes in international piano and teaching competitions, including a Grand Prix at the European Music Festival in Neerpelt, Belgium, 2nd prize at the international competition «St. Petersburg in the Mirror of World Musical Culture», 3rd prize at the Paolo Serrao International Competition in Italy and 1st prize at the All-Russian Competition of Art Projects «Pedagogical Mastery». In 2025, she entered the Guinness Book of Records by participating in a 14-hour piano marathon for the anniversary of Erik Satie (Hong Kong).

 

Nadezhda is also the author of 12 academic publications on music history and piano pedagogy. Much of her research focuses on Sergei Rachmaninoff’s creative work, including his piano concertos, piano sonatas, author’s editions, and compositional process. Her publications also explore chamber-music teaching and the role of Rachmaninoff’s music in school education.

She is also closely connected with International Amateur Piano Competition «Piano Bridges» named after Natalia Dobrovolskaya (Russia). From the foundation of the competition in 2011 to 2021, she was Artistic Director of the competition. The project creates performance opportunities and brings together over 350 amateur pianists from 43 countries around the world.