Mariya Akhadjanova, a native of Uzbekistan, is a DMA candidate in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at University of Iowa where she studies under the tutelage of Dr. Ksenia Nosikova. She is currently working as a staff collaborative pianist at School of Music, University of Iowa. In October 2021, she performed at Carnegie Hall, New York, as a winner of the 2021 “Golden Classical Music Awards" International Competition and in May 2022 at Merkin Concert Hall, Lincoln Center, in New York City as a finalist and Second prize Winner of the Music International Grand Prix 2022. In the past few years, she participated in various online piano competitions and received the First Prize in the Swiss International Music Competition, Quebec International Music Competition, and Music and Stars Awards. Mariya received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Uzbekistan State Conservatory in Tashkent. She earned her second Master at Music degree in Piano Performance under Dr. Dmitri Vorobiev and Dr. Vakhtang Kodanashvili at the University of Northern Iowa in May 2018.