Zilberkant named President’s Professor of Fine Arts

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
02/09/06

University of Alaska Fairbanks associate music professor, pianist and conductor Eduard Zilberkant has been named President’s Professor of Fine Arts.

His appointment makes him the eighth president’s professor in the state, five of whom are from UAF.

"I am delighted that we have recognized Eduard as a president’s professor,"? said Provost Paul Reichardt. "He is an outstanding pianist and conductor, as well as an all-around great faculty member. I am certain he will use this opportunity to enhance his professional reputation and to serve as an ambassador for the university."?

The presidents’ professorship is a five-year appointment. Zilberkant said he is looking forward to the chance to expand his role as a mentor, musician and educator in Alaska and nationwide.

"It’s a tremendous honor,"? he said. "My plans are to travel around the state to other music departments and perform and give some master classes and open up some opportunities across the state."?

It’s a comfortable role for Zilberkant, who has performed and conducted nationally and internationally.

"I enjoy being an ambassador for the music department and the university,"? he said.

He will continue to work with his students at UAF and serve as music director and conductor for the Fairbanks Symphony and Arctic Chamber Orchestra.

Zilberkant was born in Russia and gave his first piano recital live on Russian television at the age of 7. He made his debut in the United States at age 12. Since then he has performed throughout the United States and Europe to enthusiastic audiences and has earned a reputation as a gifted musician and conductor. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Germany and received a Solisten Diploma from the Freiburg Musik Hochschule. Zilberkant holds bachelors and master’s degrees in music from Bowling Green State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Temple University. He has served on the faculty at Temple, Villanova University and Breisach Jugendmusikschule in Germany.

He came to UAF in 1997 and was named to his current position as associate professor of piano in 2001.

Zilberkant joins UAF presidents’ professors Gordon Kruse, in fisheries and oceanography; Jim Ruppert, in Alaska Native studies; Buck Sharpton, in remote sensing; and John Walsh, in global climate change. Other presidents’ professors include William Tuttle from UAA and Jason Ohler and Richard Dauenhauer from UAS.

UA President Mark Hamilton proposed the president’s professor positions to support the university’s capacity to assist the state with its most important challenges.

"Eduard’s internationally established prestige, as both pianist and conductor, reflects great credit on the university and on the quality of our faculty,"? Hamilton said. "I expect him to provide the example and leadership to advance our music programs across the campuses and across our university communities."?

The president’s professors are funded through the University of Alaska Foundation with private donations from BP and ConocoPhillips.

CONTACT: UAF President’s Professor of Fine Arts Eduard Zilberkant at (907) 474-6981 or via e-mail at ffez@uaf.edu . UAF Public Information Officer Marmian Grimes at (907) 474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu .

Photo available upon request.