The brother of Beno Axionov. Artur Aksenov received his M.M. and D.M.A. from the The Gnesins' State Musical-Pedagogical Institute in Moscow where he re- ceived a Diploma with Honors for qualifications as solo pianist, accompanist, chamber music performer and teacher. He also received a Certificate and Diploma with Honors from Eugen Coca Special Music School from Chisināu, Moldova. Artur has performed with orchestras in Russia, Moldova and South Korea and given numerous recitals and masterclasses in Russia, Moldova, South Korea, Austria, Belgium, Israel and the United States, including the Kennedy Center and the Phillips Collection. Prior to Levine, Artur served as Associate Professor ofPiano at the Gnesins' Russian Academy of Music, a top Russian conservatory in Moscow, for 25 years. Fourteen laureates of international competitions and 18 university-level piano teachers are among the more than 100 undergraduate and graduate students who received degrees under his tute- lage. He has carried on the tradition of his mentor, Professor Boris Berlin (1906-1995), using original exercises that integrate technical, psychological and artistic training for pianists. Artur has held numerous positions presiding over student's musical educa- tion as Chairman (State Graduation Examination Commission for masters' students and Music Colleges), Adjudicator (various Russian musical competitions and festi- vals), Committee Member (Nikolai Rubinstein Open Piano Competition).