MARALGUA DARJAA

Mongolian-American pianist was born in Erdenet City, Mongolia, into a musical family, and began her piano studies at age six at the Music and Dance College, studying with Margarita Grigorieva Nikolaevna. 

She won a scholarship to study at the Frederic Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw with Dr. Kazimierz Gierzod. Marlaa graduated with honors in 2004. 

She recently completed her Masters of Arts degree in Piano Pedagogy at Northeastern Illinois University, where she studied with Dr. Inna Faliks. 

Mrs. Darjaa won a special prize from the Milosz Magin International Pianist Competition in Paris in 1994, first prize at the Jantsannorow Competition in 1995, Special Prize from the Sembiin Gonchigsumlaa National Piano Competition of Mongolia in 1996, and the Audience Prize from the International Pianist Competition in Huesco, Spain in 1999. She won the grand prize from the J.Chuluun Competition in Ulaanbaatar in 1993 and 1997. 

Since 2004 she became head collaborative pianist at the Mongolian State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet as well as Piano Teacher and Accompanist at the Music and Dance College where she had began her career as a pianist. During the 2005 "Mongolian Cultural Days" held in Beijing and Tyanjin, the People's Republic of China, Mrs. Darjaa performed as a soloist and collaborated with top singers of the Opera Theater. She won acclaim for her piano classic work "The feelings of..." which she performed in 2005 at the Mongolian State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. In 2007 the Mongolian Youth Federation gave her its highest honor, The Golden Star Medal Award, for her achievements. 

In the Chicago area, Mrs. Darjaa has been heard in many performances, including Harold Washington Library, on WFMT radio, and in multiple solo, orchestral and chamber music performances at Northeastern Illinois University. Mrs. Darjaa had been an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago since 2010.