April Grace Smirnoff

APRIL GRACE SMIRNOFF — Pianist • Singer • Dancer April Grace Smirnoff is a California-born award-winning young pianist, vocalist, and dancer whose performances have been recognized on national and international stages. April began piano studies at age four with internationally renowned pianist, recording artist and Chico State University professor Dr. Natalya Shkoda, under whose mentorship she has developed a distinctive artistic voice marked by clarity, expressive nuance, and a natural technique. April is a multi-year laureate of international competitions, including top prizes at the International Classical Music Stars Competition, OPUS Music Competition, International Global Young Musicians Competition, United Stars Music Competition, International World’s Best Musicians Competition, Orbetello International Piano Competition, Piano Competition Online (Piano Duo Category) and the International Ad Libitum Piano Competition. She has also earned multiple honors from the CAPMT Piano and Ensemble Festivals and MTAC Certificate of Merit program, most recently performing at the 2025 MTAC Convention “Sounds of Celebration.” A versatile performer, April is equally at home on stage as a dancer. She began training at age two and has studied ballet, tap, contemporary, and musical theatre with Hype Dance Studio, North State Ballet, Chico Creek Dance and Kinetics Academy of Dance. In 2024 she was accepted into Chico Community Ballet. She has also trained privately with Ukrainian choreographer Evgenia Kulishova and, more recently, with Emma Lam. April’s artistic range extends to vocal performance. She studies voice with Dr. Christine Buckstead and made her vocal debut in 2025 performing “Memory” from CATS at the MTAC Butte Branch Fall Recital at Butte College. Her multidisciplinary background gives her performances a rare blend of musicality, physicality, and dramatic sensitivity. April is homeschooled at SHINE Academy of Languages, Arts and Sciences, where she studies four languages and pursues advanced academics alongside her artistic training. April loves reading, writing, coloring, swimming and taking care of her four marvelous cats, Shine, Decimo Tercero, Diamond and Sunny. https://nshkoda.yourweb.csuchico.edu/april-grace-smirnoff/