Dr. Victor Markiw began piano lessons at age eight and one year later was giving his first public recital, performing pieces by Bach, Chopin, and Mozart. Shortly thereafter, he performed Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D Major with the Southern Connecticut Pops Orchestra. From ages ten through nineteen, however, Dr. Markiw had a change of heart and would soon leave the world of music to focus on athletics at Amity High School in Woodbridge, Connecticut, where he excelled in football and baseball.
Upon graduating from high school, Dr. Markiw realized how important music was to his life and returned to his first love, studying with Luiz Castro, Peter Pertis, and Paul Rutman at the Hartt School. Following Hartt, he went on to earn an MFA degree from SUNY Purchase as a Eugene and Emily Grant Scholarship recipient. While at Purchase, he studied piano and chamber music with internationally-renowned pianists Vladimir Feltsman, Volodymyr Vynnytsky, and Paul Ostrovsky. In 2007, Dr. Markiw earned his DMA degree in music from the University of Connecticut where he studied under Neal Larrabee.
Dr. Markiw has performed extensively throughout the United States and abroad and is a sought-after recitalist and chamber musician who frequently performs and lectures at national venues. Dr. Markiw premiered Ralph Carrioulo’s Piano Sonata No. 1 and has performed with the Hartt School of Music’s Wind Symphony and the Hartt Contemporary Players, with whom he premiered works by modern composers Anthony Davis, David Amram, George Pearle, David MacBride, and Robert Carl; Dr. Markiw has also collaborated with Orchestra New England as well as Connecticut community orchestras, premiered works by the internationally-acclaimed composer Myroslav Skoryk, and has performed on Voice of America and appeared on television.
Dr. Markiw, a frequent participant in charitable events, performed for the Children of Chernobyl Relief Fund Benefit Concert and the Victims of the Tsunami fundraiser; in addition, he performed for Connecticut Hospice and assisted-living communities in the New England region as well as serving as resident pianist for the music therapy program at Griffin Hospital, Derby, Connecticut.
As well as his present faculty position and artistic directorship for the “Concerts for All Ages” series at the University of New Haven, Dr. Markiw has taught at the University of Connecticut and continues an active schedule as a private piano instructor.
Professional Affiliations/Memberships:
American Musicological Society
College Music Society
Music Teachers National Association/Connecticut Music Teachers Association
