Valery Piassetski

Honoured Artist of Russia (2000).

A graduate of the Central Music School in 1979, class of Honoured Teacher of the RSFSR A. D. Artobolevskaya, in 1984 he graduated from the Moscow Conservatory named after P. I. Tchaikovsky, and in 1986 he completed an assistantship-internship in the class of Professor, People’s Artist of the RSFSR A. A. Nasedkin.  Valery Piassetski was raised in the pedagogical principles of the traditional Russian performance school and is a brilliant solo and chamber musician.

Since 1984, he has taught at the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory, and from 2002 to 2011, he headed the Special Piano Department. In 2012, the Higher Attestation Commission approved his academic title of professor. In 2016 he was appointed director of the Central Music School of the Moscow State Conservatory named after P. I. Tchaikovsky, and since 2022, he has been Principal of the Central Music School-Academy of Performing Arts. As a leader, he has proven himself to be a brilliant organiser: under his leadership, three branches of the Central Music School — «Baltic», «Siberian» and «Primorsky» — have been operating for more than five years.

Since the 1980s, he has been passionate about teaching and is now a leading figure in children’s education, continuing to develop the fundamental principles laid down by the famous Artbolevskaya. Pianists who have graduated from V. Piassetski’s class are distinguished by their superb technical skills, soft touch, interesting interpretations and artistry. His «Lessons with Beginners», which have become popular among teachers and professionals, have won over audiences and garnered hundreds of thousands of views, help with hand positioning and explain the most difficult initial stages of working with children. Professor V. Piassetski’s students have won international and all-Russian competitions about 150 times, with a special place going to Denis Matsuev, winner of the XI International Tchaikovsky Competition (1998), People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, and winner of the State Prizes of the Russian Federation. 

Valery Piassetski is a member of the jury of many prestigious international competitions. As a visiting professor, he has repeatedly conducted master classes for the unique All-Russian project «River of Talents», conceived by the Artistic Director of the House of Music, Professor People’s Artist of Russia Sergei Roldugin, for students and graduates of music universities and colleges who are starting their professional solo careers and preparing to represent Russia at international competitions where they are expected to perform with an orchestra.

Valery Piassetski is a recipient of the Order «For Merit in Culture and Art» (2024) and was awarded the badge of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation «For Contribution to Russian Culture» (2025).