9th BSEC Month of Culture
1-30 November 2025
In its ninth year, the BSEC Month of Culture feature “Black Sea Women in the Arts” focuses on contemporary women artists from across the BSEC region who are making a lasting impact on the cultural and creative sectors.
The ICBSS has conducted a series of online interviews with women artists from the Black Sea, who shared insights into their work through their contributions.
Iris Elezi, Pianist | Republic of Albania
Please introduce yourself to our audience. Share with us some key information about yourself and your career, such as your educational background, participation in events like festivals or exhibitions, and any awards you have received.
Iris Elezi, is an Albanian-American pianist who wants to promote the power of Music and Music education in the world. Her passion is sharing the love of music and its positive influence on the world.
She was a scholarship student at the Boston Conservatory, where she received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees, and was the winner of the Piano Honours Competition. She also holds a Master's in Teaching from CUNY. She received the Chancellor’s Talent Award from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was a prize winner in the Charleston International Music Competition.
As a performer, Iris Elezi has appeared in solo and chamber concerts at venues such as Beacon Hall, the Tilley Centre, Carnegie Hall, the Yamaha Salon, Seully Hall, Klavierhaus, and the West End Presbyterian Church, among many others. She has also performed with the Manhattan Symphony Orchestra and the Long Island Orchestra. In addition, she has accompanied SCMEA, the All County Festival, NYSSMA, All State Auditions, and local competitions. Her recordings include collaborations with the late Joseph Patrych, David Stoller, Wei Wang, and James Wu.
Regarding her teaching experience, she has presented masterclasses at the Rivers School of Music and the Skyline Piano Workshop in Poland, and has led workshops at Lehman College, NYSCAME, and the Balanced Mind Conference. She also has served as a NYSSMA judge and participated in the Carnegie Hall Music Educators' Workshop. In addition, Iris Elezi is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the National Music Educators Association (NMEA), and the International Honour Society.
She has performed in Italy, Poland, Albania, and Austria. Her work has been featured in Fanfare Magazine, Meet the Artist, and Pianist Magazine. Selections from her recordings have been broadcast on various radio stations, including WQED, KUCO, WBLN, WXXI, WQLN, WFSQ, and CKU, as well as on the weekly radio program Feminine Fusion, which highlights the influence of women in classical music.
She is deeply grateful to her teachers - Dr. Jonathan Bass, Estela Olevsky, Nigel Coxe, Douglas Buys, Anita Tartari, Elsa Veizi, and especially Dr. Diana Mittler Battipaglia - for their guidance and time they dedicated to me.
In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, creating digital music, improvising, and composing songs.
Tell us about the art form(s) you work on. Share with us some interesting information about the creative process.
The creative process is a fascinating journey of constant discovery and inspiration. It requires being open to both the simplicity and complexity of musical ideas and spending time developing them until they take on a formal structure.
If you had to present us just one of your artworks, which one would you select? Share with us the details and the message you want to communicate through this artwork.
If I had to choose one of my artworks, it would be my composition titled “Proclivity Love”. This piece explores a recurring theme through dynamic contrasts and rich harmonic progressions. Composed in C major, it features secondary dominant seventh chords that generate emotional depth and a sense of progression. The theme emphasises self-love and love for the world around us, reflecting the importance of nurturing inner peace and harmony.
Women artists still face many barriers and disparities. What inspires you to continue being creative and staying focused on doing what you love?
My inspiration comes from my faith in God and my love for Music. Music is a healing force to our world and creates bridges of peace, communication, expression and empathy.
Is there anything else that you would like to discuss?
I hope that my recent CD, A Scarlet String of Fire, brings listeners a sense of peace and enjoyment. The album features my own compositions alongside works by Chopin, Debussy, Haydn, and Schumann.
Sources, Photographs and Videos:
Website: https://iriselezi.net/
YouTube:
- Chopin Ballad No4 in F Minor OP 52, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP7pTDQpYPU
- Waltz, Op. 69 No. 1, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbMQX3V9CV4
Photograph No 1: Iris Elezi
Photograph No 2: Iris Elezi playing the piano
Photograph No 3: Iris Elezi - Photographer: Fadil Berisha
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks go to Iris Elezi for generously sharing her valuable insights with the ICBSS.
DISCLAIMER
This post was prepared by the International Centre for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS). It reflects the views of the interviewees only, and does not necessarily represent the views of ICBSS or its affiliated institutions. The ICBSS cannot be held responsible for any use of the information contained herein.
#ICBSS #MoC2025 #CultureBSEC #Albania #Music
