Idaho State University pianist performs in world-renowned Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

“Getting to perform at the Kennedy Center was my goal of the whole trip,” Lauk said. “There were no seats available, and people were sitting on the stairs. It was also broadcasted online, and will stay forever on the Kennedy Center’s website.”

The festival included nine days of private lessons with elite pianists, master classes, recitals, competitions and lectures at the Catholic University of America. On the third day, participants auditioned to perform at the Kennedy Center, and Lauk was chosen.

“As a professional, I want to challenge myself to grow,” she said. “I teach piano different than people in other countries, so I got to see how international coaches and judges teach their students. I wanted to get a diverse experience and I definitely got it.”

Lauk said the trip to Washington, D.C. was also special to her, as this was the first time she visited the nation’s capital as an American citizen. She is from a Russian background and has been a U.S. citizen for one year. During breaks in her lessons, Lauk was able to go sightseeing to museums, monuments, galleries and memorials around the area.  

Lauk’s performance at the Kennedy Center can be found at www.kennedy-center.org.