MIAMI, April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the ripe young age of 16, Anna Maria Litvinenko is the youngest competitor that will perform in the respected International Tchaikovsky Competition, this year comprised of four music categories, 25 countries, and 122 musicians. Anna, a junior in the New World School of the Arts (NWSA) high school program, is an accomplished cellist who just last year performed Dvorak's Cello Concerto with the Miami Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Eduardo Marturet. Joining the other four other cellists from the United States, including the former principal of the Seattle Symphony, Anna will be traveling to Russia where the competition will take place in Moscow in June.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110404/DC77084)

"Anna exemplifies the promise of our youth" declared Jeffrey Hodgson, Interim Provost at New World School of the Arts, and former Dean of the Music Division. "She is a driven and talented artist who is passionate about making beautiful music.  This is an outstanding achievement at her young age, which signals the promise of a brilliant and sustained musical career.  We are proud that she will represent New World School of the Arts, Miami and the State of Florida as she competes in Moscow.  We will all be rooting for her."  

Of Cuban-Russian descent, Anna was born in the Ukraine to a Ukrainian father, a music educator and professional cello player with the Miami Symphony. Her mother, born in Cuba, is an accomplished pianist who studied at the Odessa Conservatory in Russia. Exposed to music since the age of four, when she began to play the piano, Anna's passion for instrumental music was defined by the time she was just seven, when she realized that the cello was her passion.

During the International Tchaikovsky Competition Ann will be competing against 24 other cellists from around the world, aspiring to claim her share of the 300,000 Euro prize-money. Another significant outcome of the award, however, will be the opportunity to secure concert engagements internationally for the next three years with respected ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican, Mariinsky Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, and the Verdi Orchestra among many others.

Past winners of the XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition Cello category include Beijing, Brahms, Cassado, Davidov, Janigro, Johansen, Lutoslawski, Mravinsky, Penderecki, Rostropovich, and Unisa.

About New World School of the Arts

New Word School of the Arts (NWSA) was created by the Florida State Legislature in 1984 as a Center of Excellence in the visual and performing arts.  A unique collaborative venture of the University of Florida, Miami Dade College and the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the school provides a continuous comprehensive program of artistic training, academic development and preparation for careers in dance, music, theater, and visual arts. 

NWSA is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance, Music, Theater and Art and Design.  All academic programs at NWSA are approved by the Florida State Department of Education and accredited by the Southern Association of College and Schools.  New World School of the Arts confers the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees and the high school diploma through its institutional partners.  More information about NWSA at nwsa.mdc.edu

About XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition

The Chairman of the 2011 Organising Committee is conductor Valery Gergiev, one of the most celebrated and influential musicians in the world today. Leading Russian orchestras are invited to perform with the finalists in the last round of the competition. In 2011, for the first time, the competition will be presented simultaneously at a number of halls in both Moscow and St Petersburg.  Moscow will host the piano and cello competitions, while St. Petersburg will present the violin and vocal competitions.

Jury members in 2011 include Vladimir Ashkenazy, Barry Douglas, NelsonFreire, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Maxim Vengerov, Antonio Meneses, Teresa Berganza, Renata Scotto, Ferruccio Furlanetto and Krzysztof Penderecki.  Van Cliburn is Honorary Chairman of the Piano Competition; Honorary Chairman of the Vocal Competition is Placido Domingo.  For the complete list of jury members, please visit the Tchaikovsky website www.tchaikovsky-competition.com

Information about the NWSA at 305-237-3539 or visit nwsa.mdc.edu.

SOURCE New World School of the Arts