Using Music to Open Doors for Children Around the World
When world-renowned pianist Katya Grineva steps onto the stage at Carnegie Hall, she isn't just sharing her gift—she's creating opportunities for children who might never have imagined such joy was within their reach. Through her foundation, Katya Concerts for Kids, she's bringing underserved children into some of the most iconic concert halls in the world to experience the transformative power of classical music.
A Vision for the Future
Katya's dream is to see concert halls around the world filled with children who would otherwise never have the opportunity to step inside. Whether she's performing at Carnegie Hall or a small school in Harlem, her message is the same: music can change lives.
We sat down with Katya to hear her remarkable story, her vision for the foundation, and how music continues to change lives.
What inspired you to start Katya Concerts for Kids?
Katya: I grew up in Russia, and when I was a child, food was scarce, and times were tough. However, during those hard times, my parents took me to the Moscow Conservatory. I didn't always understand the music, but I loved being in that beautiful space, wearing a dress, feeling that energy. Those are some of my best memories.
Many children—like kids in Harlem or in the slums of Kenya—might never have had that chance. Music can lift you out of a gloomy reality. It builds confidence, improves grades, and sometimes it's the only path to a better life. I want to give children the same gift of wonder and inspiration that I experienced as a child growing up in challenging circumstances. I want to uplift the children and their families.
A Vision for the Future
Katya's dream is to see concert halls around the world filled with children who would otherwise never have the opportunity to step inside. Whether she's performing at Carnegie Hall or a small school in Harlem, her message is the same: music can change lives.
We sat down with Katya to hear her remarkable story, her vision for the foundation, and how music continues to change lives.
What inspired you to start Katya Concerts for Kids?
Katya: I grew up in Russia, and when I was a child, food was scarce, and times were tough. However, during those hard times, my parents took me to the Moscow Conservatory. I didn't always understand the music, but I loved being in that beautiful space, wearing a dress, feeling that energy. Those are some of my best memories.
Many children—like kids in Harlem or in the slums of Kenya—might never have had that chance. Music can lift you out of a gloomy reality. It builds confidence, improves grades, and sometimes it's the only path to a better life. I want to give children the same gift of wonder and inspiration that I experienced as a child growing up in challenging circumstances. I want to uplift the children and their families.
What have you accomplished so far?
Katya: This past year marked my 22nd consecutive concert season at Carnegie Hall, which remains unbelievable to me. I fill the balconies with children and their parents to make it a holiday experience. Before each concert, I visit the schools, play for them, and take questions so they see I'm just a normal person. Then, when they walk into Carnegie Hall, it feels personal.
I've also traveled around the world—Africa, Ecuador, and India—to play for kids in underserved communities. Music is universal. It gives hope wherever you go.
How does the fundraising work?
Katya: It's very grassroots. I give small private concerts every month, and people donate because they're touched. Last year, I raised almost $20,000 without a single grant. Sometimes people send $1,000 just because they believe in the mission. I also work directly with schools in Harlem and the Bronx to distribute tickets.
Tell us about your own musical journey.
Katya: My parents weren't musicians, but I started playing the piano by accident after my neighbors invited me to music school. I loved it immediately. My parents managed to buy me an upright piano—even though you had to wait six months to get one! I was so afraid they'd sell it if I didn't practice that I practiced constantly.
The first experience I had that opened my mind to the possibility of becoming a concert pianist was when I played at the Moscow Conservatory. I was the youngest student my professor taught, yet I still got to play. Later, the renowned cellist Natalia Shakhovskaya helped me gain admission to the best school in Moscow. At 19, I came to New York, where I stayed with a family that practically adopted me, and pursued my dream. Discipline and perseverance were everything. I never would have imagined that my dreams would come true; however, after falling in love with classical music and practicing every day, they have. Now I want to share the experience with more than just those who can afford it. I also want to keep classical music alive.
Katya: This past year marked my 22nd consecutive concert season at Carnegie Hall, which remains unbelievable to me. I fill the balconies with children and their parents to make it a holiday experience. Before each concert, I visit the schools, play for them, and take questions so they see I'm just a normal person. Then, when they walk into Carnegie Hall, it feels personal.
I've also traveled around the world—Africa, Ecuador, and India—to play for kids in underserved communities. Music is universal. It gives hope wherever you go.
How does the fundraising work?
Katya: It's very grassroots. I give small private concerts every month, and people donate because they're touched. Last year, I raised almost $20,000 without a single grant. Sometimes people send $1,000 just because they believe in the mission. I also work directly with schools in Harlem and the Bronx to distribute tickets.
Tell us about your own musical journey.
Katya: My parents weren't musicians, but I started playing the piano by accident after my neighbors invited me to music school. I loved it immediately. My parents managed to buy me an upright piano—even though you had to wait six months to get one! I was so afraid they'd sell it if I didn't practice that I practiced constantly.
The first experience I had that opened my mind to the possibility of becoming a concert pianist was when I played at the Moscow Conservatory. I was the youngest student my professor taught, yet I still got to play. Later, the renowned cellist Natalia Shakhovskaya helped me gain admission to the best school in Moscow. At 19, I came to New York, where I stayed with a family that practically adopted me, and pursued my dream. Discipline and perseverance were everything. I never would have imagined that my dreams would come true; however, after falling in love with classical music and practicing every day, they have. Now I want to share the experience with more than just those who can afford it. I also want to keep classical music alive.
What is performing like for you?
Katya: I never feel separate from the audience. I'm just an instrument through which the music passes. Before each concert, I practice yoga, meditation, and even offer little prayers to ensure it's not about ego—it's about connection. I want people to feel touched, to walk away changed. In my private, smaller concerts, I also have the opportunity to share stories about the music, its history, or something about the piece that resonates with me. It is such a personal experience; the more I share, the more engaged I find the audience to be while I'm playing. When I perform, I do not read any music. People sometimes assume I play by ear, but I do not. I have practiced and memorized each piece repeatedly. I spend at least three hours a day practicing, then spend a couple of hours learning new pieces, and another hour reviewing what I've learned.
Where can people follow your work and support the foundation?
Katya: I'm on Instagram and Facebook as @Katya.Grineva, and my website is KatyaGrineva.com. We're building the foundation to reach more children and bring them to beautiful venues worldwide. Anyone who loves music and believes in its power to inspire can make a difference.
Can you share the story of how you first connected with the Discovery Bay area and ended up here?
Katya: Absolutely! My journey to Discovery Bay is actually tied to my time performing as a guest artist on luxury cruises, such as Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises. These cruises were an incredible opportunity for me. I would perform two concerts a week, but they also gave me lots of free time to explore new places. It was the perfect combination of travel, performance, and financial stability.
Thanks to the generous compensation, I was able to return to New York and spend weeks preparing for major concerts, such as those at Carnegie Hall. The cruises were essentially a "work hard, play hard" situation—great concerts, great travel, and great pay. It allowed me to dedicate months at a time to preparing for these big performances without worrying about basic living expenses.
Then, during one of my cruises, something extraordinary happened. I was performing on a Windstar Cruise and met a gentleman right before one of my performances. He asked me if I played Chopin, and I was so pleased that someone appreciated my repertoire. The next day, we bumped into each other at the swimming pool, and later again on a ferry to Dubrovnik. We started talking, and he told me he lived in California, in the Bay Area. He mentioned he often hosted private events with wine, cheese, and music. I found that fascinating!
Interestingly enough, I had a performance scheduled in San Francisco at Davis Symphony Hall, so I reached out to him, and he graciously invited my girlfriend, Lisa, and me to stay at his home. This connection turned into a wonderful friendship, and through him, I met many influential people, including Gay Crawford, who established a charity called Cancer Care Point. Since then, I've returned to the Bay Area regularly, performing concerts to support Gay's charity and fundraising efforts for cancer patients.
It's incredible how the encounter on a cruise, sparked by a conversation about Chopin, led to so many new friendships and opportunities to give back to the community.
When will you perform in Carnagie Hall again?
Katya: December 26th 2025 8 PM.
Follow Katya's journey, support her mission, and if you ever get the chance, experience one of her concerts. You may see the next young pianist in the audience, falling in love with classical music for the first time.
Katya: I never feel separate from the audience. I'm just an instrument through which the music passes. Before each concert, I practice yoga, meditation, and even offer little prayers to ensure it's not about ego—it's about connection. I want people to feel touched, to walk away changed. In my private, smaller concerts, I also have the opportunity to share stories about the music, its history, or something about the piece that resonates with me. It is such a personal experience; the more I share, the more engaged I find the audience to be while I'm playing. When I perform, I do not read any music. People sometimes assume I play by ear, but I do not. I have practiced and memorized each piece repeatedly. I spend at least three hours a day practicing, then spend a couple of hours learning new pieces, and another hour reviewing what I've learned.
Where can people follow your work and support the foundation?
Katya: I'm on Instagram and Facebook as @Katya.Grineva, and my website is KatyaGrineva.com. We're building the foundation to reach more children and bring them to beautiful venues worldwide. Anyone who loves music and believes in its power to inspire can make a difference.
Can you share the story of how you first connected with the Discovery Bay area and ended up here?
Katya: Absolutely! My journey to Discovery Bay is actually tied to my time performing as a guest artist on luxury cruises, such as Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises. These cruises were an incredible opportunity for me. I would perform two concerts a week, but they also gave me lots of free time to explore new places. It was the perfect combination of travel, performance, and financial stability.
Thanks to the generous compensation, I was able to return to New York and spend weeks preparing for major concerts, such as those at Carnegie Hall. The cruises were essentially a "work hard, play hard" situation—great concerts, great travel, and great pay. It allowed me to dedicate months at a time to preparing for these big performances without worrying about basic living expenses.
Then, during one of my cruises, something extraordinary happened. I was performing on a Windstar Cruise and met a gentleman right before one of my performances. He asked me if I played Chopin, and I was so pleased that someone appreciated my repertoire. The next day, we bumped into each other at the swimming pool, and later again on a ferry to Dubrovnik. We started talking, and he told me he lived in California, in the Bay Area. He mentioned he often hosted private events with wine, cheese, and music. I found that fascinating!
Interestingly enough, I had a performance scheduled in San Francisco at Davis Symphony Hall, so I reached out to him, and he graciously invited my girlfriend, Lisa, and me to stay at his home. This connection turned into a wonderful friendship, and through him, I met many influential people, including Gay Crawford, who established a charity called Cancer Care Point. Since then, I've returned to the Bay Area regularly, performing concerts to support Gay's charity and fundraising efforts for cancer patients.
It's incredible how the encounter on a cruise, sparked by a conversation about Chopin, led to so many new friendships and opportunities to give back to the community.
When will you perform in Carnagie Hall again?
Katya: December 26th 2025 8 PM.
Follow Katya's journey, support her mission, and if you ever get the chance, experience one of her concerts. You may see the next young pianist in the audience, falling in love with classical music for the first time.
