Meet Vladyslav Ustiuhov | Pianist & Piano Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vladyslav Ustiuhov and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vladyslav, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My name is Vladyslav Ustiuhov. I am a Ukrainian pianist and chamber musician based in Miami, FL, with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. I am currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami. As a piano performer and teacher, my input directly benefits the community through accessible music events and music education.
My solo and chamber concerts in Miami provide affordable cultural events for diverse audiences. Collaborating with Frost School musicians, I perform Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary repertoire in venues like Clarke and Newman Recital Halls, Chapel of the Venerable Bede, Doral Piano Studio, and local churches. Commonly held in the evenings, such events boost cultural participation. They offer entertainment and stress relief, enhancing community well-being.
Beyond solo and chamber recitals, I accompany voice and instrumental students at the Frost School of Music during the juries, studio classes, lessons, and forums.
As a piano educator, I instruct students of all ages, developing their technical skills, discipline, and confidence. Thanks to the University of Miami providing me with a teaching assistantship during my studies, I have an opportunity to give private and group classes. Following a structured syllabus, my students learn piano through sight-reading, technique, improvisation, transposition, music theory, and four-hand playing. These lessons build skills like focus and perseverance, preparing them for academic and professional success.
By performing and teaching, I sustain Miami’s cultural scene, support local economies through arts engagement, and provide educational opportunities. My efforts make music accessible, foster skill development, and strengthen community ties, creating a measurable impact locally and beyond.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My name is Vladyslav Ustiuhov, a Ukrainian pianist, chamber musician, and educator living in Miami, Florida. Looking back in time, it was extremely difficult to leave Ukraine in 2014 amid instability and start over in the U.S. with limited resources.
Thanks to the Boston Conservatory scholarship I was able to launch my professional education under mentors like Max Levinson. During my B.M. and M.M. I performed solo recitals, accompanied wind ensemble, participated in a conservatory orchestra concert, played in faculty recitals, was featured in Boston Back Bay Rising–Beyond Walls: Performance in Public Space Project, accompanied countless chamber performances including duos, trios, quartets, quintets, played piano duo recitals, participated in virtual ensemble projects, studio thematic recitals, and much more.
Beside school venues, my recitals were organized in several churches, music schools, and nursing homes in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I remember my first Boston Recital was in Steinert & Songs Hall above the famous piano store on a beautiful Steinway Model D.
In 2022, I was accepted to the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami to pursue the D.M.A. Degree under the tutelage of Professor Tian Ying. I am also very grateful for receiving the teaching assistantships that supported my growth while allowing me to contribute as an accompanist for wind and string students.
In 2022 and 2023 I have boosted my accompanying repertoire by playing for more than 30 vocalists during private coaching, studio classes, juries, opera rehearsals, and forums. In 2024 I accompanied Frost Wind Ensemble premiering work by B.Mirvil in March to Heaven concert. Later that year, along with my friends M. Grossman and A. Lo, we premiered a work by J.L. Marín during the Frost Chamber Music Showcase.
In 2025, I’ve recorded and released my first single “Pathetique Etude, Op. 8 No. 12” and the album “Beethoven Sonatas Opp. 53, 57, and 111” on Spotify and Apple Music. In the same year I won gold, platinum and bronze prizes in Georges Bizet, Knoten, and Carles & Sofia international piano competitions. I should say that it has been quite a prolific year so far.
In 2023 I started teaching group piano classes at the University of Miami. It was definitely a new chapter in my life and required a research in group lesson methodology. Even though, each class was limited to 15 students, I had to have a particular approach as well as additional teaching resources. My goal was to teach students essential and professional piano skills like sight-reading, harmonization, and classical improvisation. The following year, the Steinway & Songs Gallery in Miami awarded me with 2024 top piano teacher prize, where I serve as an educational partner, and which I am very grateful for.
My nearest future plan is to continue performing in solo and chamber recitals, premiering and recording music, and most importantly, as a piano educator, pass my knowledge to the future generations
To the world, I want to share that my story is one of triumph over adversity. From a war-affected region in Ukraine to international stages and recordings, I’ve shown that passion and hard work can transcend borders. Music is my way to inspire relentless pursuit of dreams.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have been in Miami only for three years and, of course, did not have a chance to visit everything, however, I may suggest a few places to add to the Miami bucket list.
In terms of good food, I really like ZIel Concept Store and Fogo de Chão . The first one I would recommend for breakfasts with coffee, croissants, sandwiches, etc. The second one is good for a dinner party but may get a little pricey.
In my personal opinion, two of the most interesting places to check out in Miami would definitely be Biltmore Hotel and Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. They have a nice historic and adventurous vibe.
As a classical pianist, I recommend to check out the Event Calendar at the Frost School of Music Website. They organize amazing recitals, concerts, and various cultural performances.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am very grateful for my supportive family, even though they are more than five thousand miles away. Without their faith and love, I wouldn’t be here. They helped me choose my path and stay on it. I also owe great respect to my piano mentors, such as

Max Levinson
Tian Ying
Naoko Takao

They taught me valuable skills, including setting performance goals, overcoming practice challenges, and remaining curious. Their encouragement inspired me to pursue solo and chamber recital opportunities around me, to premiere new works in collaboration with my friends, and release my audio and video recordings. Their patience, knowledge, and support have shaped me into the pianist I am today. I aspire to pass on their wisdom to my own students, continuing the cycle of mentorship in music.

Website: https://vladpianist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vladyslav2029/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladyslav-ustiuhov

Twitter: https://x.com/vladyslav2029

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vladyslav.ustiuhov

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxYO3y5xuCDbH_qXNCp4pOg

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/02OPyc5TG2BAhRImixY96Z
https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCs41C6ic3SyQPR35Njx-5_w
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/vladyslav-ustiuhov/1832736844
https://linktr.ee/vladpianist