Dr. Bair Shagdaron

Dr. Bair Shagdaron
First Name: 
Dr. Bair
Last Name: 
Shagdaron
Main Title: 
Professor of Piano
Office Location: 
Room 414, Broyhill Music Center
Phone Number: 
828-262-6465

Pianist Bair Shagdaron was born in Moscow, Russia and began studying music at age of four. In 1964 he entered the prestigious Moscow Gnesins Music School for Gifted Children where he studied under Esther Fedorchenko and Valeria Polunina. After graduating in 1976, Mr. Shagdaron studied at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory under the renowned Tatiana Nikolaeva. In 1984, Mr. Shagdaron obtained his Doctorate degree in piano performance from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. In 1988, he assumed the position of Assistant Professor at the Conservatory and was an Assistant of Tatiana Nikolaeva for six years. In 1990, Dr. Shagdaron graduated from the Conservatory with his second degree in composition, studying under Albert Leman.

As an accomplished soloist, Dr. Shagdaron took fourth prize at the 1980 International J.S.Bach Competition in Leipzig, Germany and third prize at the 1992 International Competition for Piano and Orchestra in Mazara del Vallo, Italy. Also in 1992 he was awarded the Honorary Title of "The People's Artist of Buryat Republic" (Russia). Dr. Shagdaron has given master classes in Japan and also performed throughout the USA, Russia, Japan, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Mongolia.

After coming to the USA in 1996, Dr. Shagdaron taught at Ottawa University in Kansas. In the fall of 2000, he joined the faculty of Appalachian State University as Assistant Professor of Piano. Dr. Shagdaron continues to actively participate in the music world of today, including the world premiere of Edward Bullock's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. He has been guest artist for An Appalachian Summer Festival, and soloist with the Western Piedmont Symphony performing the Second Piano Concerto by Shostakovich.