Anastasia Rizikov
Canadian pianist of Ukrainian origin Anastasia Rizikov made her mark on the International arena when- at age sixteen- she won first prize at the Jaén Piano Competition in Spain, becoming the youngest winner in the competition’s 57-year history. Of her playing it was said, quote, "In Jaén we discovered a young, exceptional pianist. Some jurors speak of her as the new Martha Argerich, no less” (RITMO Magazine).

Anastasia was born into a family of artists in Toronto on December 8, 1998. Starting piano studies at age five, Anastasia’s first international victory came at age seven at the Horowitz Competition in Kyiv, where she placed first against musicians twice her age. Since then, she won half a dozen more international adult competitions before turning eighteen.

In 2023, Anastasia toured with French cellist Gautier Capuçon, performing nearly 20 concerts in various French cities, as well as in Luxembourg, Switzerland, the US, and China, leading to her debut at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing in December 2023.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Anastasia has raised 30 000 euros by giving recitals of Ukrainian repertoire in Canada and France, and continues organizing similar events to help Ukrainians fight for their independence, and to demonstrate Ukraine’s rich culture and unique heritage.

Ms. Rizikov has played at the World’s leading festivals (such as Verbier, Chopin and His Europe, and Festival Chopin Nohant), and has played at such venues as Carnegie Hall in New York, Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, and the Hong Kong City Hall. Her countless performances with orchestras (such as the Kyiv Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, and Granada Symphony) have resulted in a list of over 20 concerti in her repertoire. At sixteen, Anastasia released her first CD with NAXOS records.

In 2022, Anastasia and French cellist Lisa Strauss co-founded the ensemble Shum (Шум), a piano-cello duo focusing primarily on Eastern-European repertoire. Their first CD with Warner Classics will be released in summer of 2024.

Adept in English, French, Ukrainian, and Russian, Ms. Rizikov aspires to not only be a thriving concert pianist, but on bringing her Ukrainian heritage to light, with a particular interest in Slavic repertoire. Currently based in France, Anastasia is working towards her Master’s degree at Paris Conservatory under the tutelage of pianist Frank Braley. In 2022, she became a laureate of both the Fondation Banque Populaire and Fondation Gautier Capuçon in France.

Lisa Strauss
Born into a musical family, Lisa Strauss began learning the piano at the age of five. She then turned to the cello, which became her principal instrument. After studying with Hélène Dautry at the CRR de Paris, she entered Michel Strauss's class at the CNSM de Paris at the age of sixteen. She obtained her master's degree there five years later with the highest honors.

Lisa is a frequent soloist, notably with the Baden-Baden Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestre Philharmonique de l'Oise, the Orchestre de Douai and the Ensemble Appassionato. She has been invited to perform at numerous festivals, including Festival d'Auvers-sur-Oise, Journées Ravel, Ottawa Chamberfest, Opus Amadeus, Musique de chambre à Giverny...

Lisa perfected her skills with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Ivry Gitlis and Lynn Harrell. An advocate of the music of her time, she collaborates with many contemporary composers, including Régis Campo, Matthieu Stefanelli and Thomas Gubitsch.

In 2017, Lisa joined the Mozart class of the Philippe Jaroussky Music Academy. She has been a laureate of the Fondation Banque populaire since June 2020. Also a laureate of the Villa Musica Foundation, she explores the great chamber music repertoire alongside eminent artists. In October 2020, she joined Gautier Capuçon's cello class of excellence at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. In August 2021, she was selected to take part in the "Un Été en France" tour alongside the French cellist, then joined his foundation in September 2022. Here she met Canadian pianist Anastasia Rizikov. Together, they create the SHUM duo.

In 2017, Lisa joined the Mozart class of the Philippe Jaroussky Music Academy. She has been a laureate of the Fondation Banque populaire since June 2020. Also a laureate of the Villa Musica Foundation, she explores the great chamber music repertoire alongside eminent artists. In October 2020, she joins Gautier Capuçon's cello class of excellence at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. In August 2021, she was selected to take part in the "Un Été en France" tour alongside the French cellist, then joined his foundation in September 2022. Here she meets Canadian pianist Anastasia Rizikov. Together, they create the SHUM duo.