Natalia Ricci

Natalia Ricci is a Senior Lecturer in Piano at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, part of the University of Sydney. She holds dual appointments in the Piano and Ensemble departments and has also served as Keyboard Coordinator for the Chamber Music Program. Her teaching spans tertiary and pre-tertiary levels, including leadership of the Open Academy Rising Stars Piano Division.

• Education: BMus University of Cincinnati (USA), MMus Royal Northern College of Music (UK)
• Research Focus: Spanish piano literature (Albeniz, Granados, de Falla), Janáček's works, and chamber music performance practice

She pioneered the Encuentros Españoles Festival (2013-2022), a landmark event showcasing Spanish music through concerts, workshops, and scholarly symposia. Her pedagogical approach integrates biomechanical efficiency with artistic expression, emphasizing technical mastery, sound production, and interpretive depth across diverse repertoires.

Notable achievements include performances at major international festivals (Banff, London Objective, Sydney Festival), recordings for BBC/ABC radio, and mentoring students who've won top prizes in competitions like the Sydney International Piano Competition, Chopin in Wavel, and Franz Liszt Youth Competitions. Her students consistently excel in national competitions including Lev Vlassenko and Sydney Eisteddfod events.

Ricci's professional engagements include adjudicating international competitions and delivering masterclasses globally, with upcoming appearances at the 2025 International Festival of Music in Iasi, Romania. She maintains active links with institutions across Australia, Europe, and Asia through teaching, performance, and research collaborations.