Nino Sanikidze, D.M.A.
Director
Georgian pianist Nino Sanikidze has held the position of a Head Coach for the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program at Los Angeles Opera since the program's inception in 2006. As a member of LA Opera's regular music staff, she works closely with Placido Domingo and James Conlon as pianist, prompter, and assistant conductor. Since 2008 she has been an official pianist for Placido Domingo's World Opera Competition, Operalia. Outside of LA Opera, she has been engaged with such companies as Teatro Real in Madrid, Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Teatro Municipal di Santiago, Bard Summerscape, Annandale-on-Hudson, Washington National Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, Cleveland Art Song Festival, and Songfest in Malibu. A frequent collaborator with the Broad Stage in Santa Monica, her notable concert appearances include a recital with tenor Marcelo Alvarez and a recital with mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca. In addition she has performed in a recital with world-renown guitarist Angel Romero at Palm Springs Life Festival.
Sought after as a clinician, Dr. Sanikidze is on a coaching faculty of the prestigious Music Academy of the West and appears regularly with the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. She has been a principal guest coach for the USC Thornton School of Music, has conducted masterclasses at the Chapman Conservatory and Opera Santa Barbara and is a regular Master Teacher for YoungArts. She has also served as an adjudicator at the Classical Singer Convention, Music Center Spotlight Awards and Center Stage opera awards.
Ms. Sanikidze is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Marilyn Horne Foundation Award for Excellence in Vocal Accompanying. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and is an alumna of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera, as well as the Music Academy of the West and the Aspen Opera Center.