Eugene Watanabe
Eugene Watanabe and his wife Dr. Vera Oussetskaia-Watanabe founded the Gifted Music School, now named the Peterson School of Music, in Salt Lake City in 2009. As Artistic Director and Violin Chair, he leads a synergistic team of faculty, administrators, 450 students and parents, and donors. The goal of the school has been to provide access to the highest standard of comprehensive music education regardless of financial background.
As an educator, Eugene’s students can be found on the concert stage, professional orchestras, and currently populating many of the most important academic and music institutions including the Colburn School, Juilliard School, Juilliard/Columbia, University of Michigan, New England Conservatory, San Francisco Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, Yale University, Stanford University, and all Utah Universities. His students have been frequently recognized with top awards at international and national solo and chamber competitions including Klein, ASTA, St. Paul, Cliburn, and a rare double win at the 2019 MTNA Nationals in Spokane having taught the 1st place awardees in both the Junior High and High School categories. Watanabe’s students have frequently been heard on NPR’s From the Top—as soloists, chamber groups, and members of the Gifted Music School orchestra.
Watanabe was the first student in the history of the Curtis Institute of Music to graduate with a double degree in Violin and Piano. His teachers were Leon Fleisher, Claude Frank, Arnold Steinhardt, Joseph Silverstein, and Andres Cardenes. Watanabe was also deeply influenced by his continued work with Isaac Stern and Josef Gingold.
As a performer, Watanabe enjoyed an international performance career as violinist and pianist. He has made appearances with the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Hamburg Symphony, Saint Lawrence String Quartet, New Zealand String Quartet, New York String Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, and countless performances with the Utah Symphony (more than 15 concertos), and done solo tours through Europe, Canada, and United States. He has received major awards at the Honens-Calgary International Piano Competition, Kosciuzko Chopin Competition, Bachauer Young Artist Competition, MTNA National Competition, and the Kingsville Competition.
In 2017, Eugene and Vera were awarded the Utah Governor Mansion Artist Award for their dedication to community service. When not teaching and helping to run the school, he treasures spending time with Vera and his son and daughter.
Watanabe is a Steinway Artist.