Ms. Natalia Nizhalova regularly performs as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician. Holding BM and MM from prestigious Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatory in Russia, and Doctor of Arts degree from Ball State University. Dr. Nizhalova has given solo performances in the United States, Russia, Ukraine, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. She has been awarded a number of prizes from various national and international competitions. These include Second Prize in Matinee Musicale Collegiate Competition (Indianapolis, IN), First Prize in the International Competition “Art of the 21th Century” (Lisbon, Portugal), Second Prize in the International Competition “Musica-Classica” (Russia). She was awarded a special grant from the Russian President “Support of gifted youth”. As an active chamber musician Ms. Nizhalova has performed with the members of Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and American Piano Trio. As an orchestra musician Dr. Nizhalova holds leading positions with Orchestra Indiana, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, and Carmel Symphony Orchestra. Before coming to the USA she held the position of Assistant Concertmaster at the Nizhny Novgorod Opera and Ballet Theatre Symphony Orchestra. She has appeared at some music festivals including National Repertory Orchestra (Colorado), Round Top Summer Music Institute (Texas), International Holland Music Session (Holland), Music in European Castles (Lithuania), Malaga Musical Summer (Spain) among others. As an active teacher Ms. Nizhalova spent five years as Teaching Assistant at Ball State University and two years as an Adjunct Professor at Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatory. She is currently having a private violin studio in Carmel IN. Her students are regular winners of regional competitions, members of youth orchestras as well as participants in master classes, workshops, and summer music festivals.