Lola Astanova is a Soviet-born pianist, noted for her interpretations of compositions by Chopin, Liszt and Rachmaninoff, and internet promotion. At the age of six Lola entered the elite V. Uspensky Specialized School of Music for Gifted Children, where she started learning to play piano with Professor Tamara Popovich. She also frequently visited Moscow for lessons with Professor Lev Naumov of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory. According to Lev Naumov: "Lola Astanova possesses a rare and truly ingenious intuitive ability. Chopin performed by Lola is simply outstanding." Ms. Astanova started touring as a concert pianist at the age of eight. She performed in Germany, France, Austria, Italy and Russia both solo programs and with orchestras. In 1996, she was Laureate of the International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists in Moscow. In 1998, she was featured in the UNESCO documentary "Prodigies of the 20th Century". In 2003, she emigrated to the United States. In 2004, she had her US debut at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. In 2005, she received her Master's Degree (summa cum laude) from Rice University. In September 2007 Ms. Astanova released her first US album titled DEBUT which was made available exclusively through iTunes. In October 2007 Ms. Astanova became a star of the Classical Superstars Fantasy Concert alongside Valery Gergiev and Kirov Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater, and hosted by Emmy winning television personality Regis Philbin. The concert was featured in the 100th anniversary issue of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book and offered for $1.6 million. In August 2008, The National September 11 Memorial & Museum announced Ms. Astanova’s historical performance on the famed Steinway piano of Vladimir Horowitz at the "Notes of Hope" benefit hosted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The event also features performances by comedian & actor Denis Leary and rocker John Mellencamp.