Biography

Mary-Victoria Voutsas is a “powerful” and “enthralling pianist” (Washington City Paper) with a distinguished career that spans solo performance, collaborative work, teaching, and music leadership. Known for her captivating artistry, she has performed on prestigious stages including the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and Terrace Theatre, Lisner Auditorium, and various embassies, and she has been a featured pianist for major events such as the 75th NATO Summit, the Warner Brothers 2024 Paris Olympics Launch, and the Discovery Channel's 2024 Olympics Launch.

In addition to her solo engagements, she has been a visiting Artist in Residency at the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, performing and leading outreach programs. Her extensive collaboration includes ensemble work with the National Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Chamber Orchestra, and NPR’s Tiny Desk series, as well as performing for the National Broadcasting Association. She has served as rehearsal pianist for such renowned artists as Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alison Krauss. She is also a member of several chamber ensembles, including the Salon Trio, Duo Ancil-Voutsas, and the Kombos Collective

Dr. Voutsas’ expertise extends beyond traditional performance. She is also an accomplished harpsichordist, choral conductor, and prepared piano performer. Her notable appearances include performing as a harpsichord soloist with the Peabody Chamber Orchestra for “What Makes It Great?” and performing in several embassy concerts, including those for the Czech and Thai embassies. She has also lectured and performed at respected institutions, including Santa Clara University, University of Delaware, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and numerous Hellenic Studies departments and organizations.

Her passion for new music is evident in her extensive repertoire and recent album releases. She is the only artist to have recorded the works of Vasily Kalafati, the teacher of Stravinsky, and her album Hellenic Song: A Musical Migration was the first to feature these works. She followed this with The Moon is Red, a tribute to the iconic composer Manos Hadjidakis. In addition to her solo albums, Ms. Voutsas contributed to Uproot: Songs of Refugees from Asia Minor, released in 2024 with the Kombos Collective.

An award-winning pianist, Ms. Voutsas has earned numerous accolades, including the 2023 Gold Medal at the Nobel-Artist International Competition, 1st Place at the 2023 UK International Music Competition, 1st Place at the 2023 Charleston World Music Competition, and the Bronze Medal at the 2023 Carles & Sofia International Piano Competition. She received Honorable Mention from the prestigious BTHVN Wien Competition (2024) with praise from Olga Kern. Dr. Voutsas was the 2024 winner of both the Diamond & Platinum prizes at the International Max Bruch Competition and the 2024 platinum winner in National Music at the Couperin International Competition. Salon Trio received the 2nd place American Prize in Chamber Music (2022), 3rd place at the Lancaster International Piano Festival in 2024, and 1st prize in the 2024 Royal Maas Competition.

Dr. Voutsas completed her Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) at Catholic University. Her dissertation focused on the piano works of Manos Hadjidakis and the influence of rebetika music on Hellenic song. She earned her Master of Music (M.M.) from Catholic University with a concentration in Piano Performance under Dr. Nikita Fitenko, and her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Piano Performance from American University under Yuliya Gorenman.

Beyond performance, Dr. Voutsas is dedicated to education. She teaches piano and has taught music theory at Catholic University, and serves on the executive board of the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association, and works with the board of the Washington International Piano Festival. Ms. Voutsas is also involved in property management and community leadership as a co-chair for the National Landing BID and working in commercial and residential real estate.

Dr. Voutsas has also contributed to a broad range of studio recordings, working with artists across folk, rock, and pop genres. She is committed to advancing both the legacy and future of music, blending her expertise in prepared piano with her passion for contemporary works, education, and community.