Narrative Musicale: Keys Across America

Recipient of the 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant, American pianist Mackenzie Melemed is recognized for his nuanced artistry, technical finesse and deeply communicative performances. Praised by The New York Times as “an excellent young pianist,” he brings a rare combination of clarity, imagination and emotional depth to the stage.

A laureate of the American Pianists Awards and the China International Music Competition, Melemed has appeared as a soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and other leading ensembles, and he has performed at Carnegie Hall and major venues worldwide. A Steinway & Sons Artist and graduate of The Juilliard School, he is known for thoughtful programming that bridges core repertoire with rare discoveries. His Keys Across America project reflects a commitment to expanding the American piano canon and connecting with audiences through curiosity, storytelling and exploration.

Since 2020, Melemed has been based in Finland. Following his success at the Maj Lind Piano Competition and aided by his fluency in Finnish — developed during studies at Columbia University — he has established a strong presence across the country, performing with leading orchestras and appearing at major festivals.

Konstantin Soukhovetski is a pianist, composer, and educator recognized for his distinctive concert programming and multimedia performances. A laureate of 17 international competitions, he has appeared at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall, and The Louvre, performing in recital and with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. Recent highlights include a tour of Scotland with Absolute Classics and appearances at PianoFête in Vashon, Washington.

As Director of Education and Community Engagement at Grand Piano Series, Konstantin curates the series’ Narrative Musicales—multimedia programs that combine live music, storytelling, and visual elements—and oversees Grand Piano Series’s educational and outreach initiatives with schools and seniors in Lee and Collier counties.

Beyond the piano, his work includes composition, libretti, and interdisciplinary collaborations in dance and film. His recording, Yuliya: Forgotten Songs of Julie Weissberg Rimsky-Korsakov, with soprano Sarah Moulton-Faux, was released on Azica Records. He is a voting member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMY) and serves on the faculty of The Juilliard School. Born in Moscow to a family of prominent artists, he studied piano and composition at the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory. Konstantin has been a resident of Naples, FL, since 2024.