Ilga Pitkevica

ILGA PITKEVICA-BALDWIN, MA Mus. had an extensive professional training in Latvia, at the Latvian Music Academy (LMA) in Riga, from which she graduated with honours and Master’s degrees in Solo Piano Performance, Piano Teaching, Accompaniment and Chamber Music.

In Latvia Ilga taught solo piano, accompaniment and chamber music at the LMA, Jelgava Music College and at the LMA’s Emils Darzins Special Music School for Gifted Children. During this time, Ilga performed at many concerts and as accompanist at international competitions in the Baltic States, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Russia, Germany, Israel, France and UK.

Following her marriage in 2002, Ilga moved to Cambridge in the UK where she continues to perform solo and chamber music in the UK and abroad, and work as accompanist for the Lucy Cavendish Singers in Cambridge and RCM in London. She also teaches pupils at her private Piano Studio near Cambridge. Among her pupils are EPTA UK Piano Competition winners and other competition and festival prize holders. Many of Ilga’s existing and former pupils hold music scholarships at Eton College, Westminster School in London and King’s College School and Perse Schools in Cambridge. Some of her students continue to study music at universities in Oxford and Durham.

Since 2014 Ilga has taught as a Principal Tutor at the internationally-acclaimed Piano Teachers’ Course UK. She lectures in the UK and in Latvia on piano teaching, and on the history and teaching methods of the Russian Piano School. Ilga also collaborates with Trinity Exam Board in publicizing and lecturing on their piano syllabuses.

Since 2006 Ilga has been the Cambridgeshire Regional Organiser for European Piano Teachers’ Association UK. She also served nine years on the Management Committee of EPTA UK from 2009 to 2018.

Featured content

Making Progress with Beginners

In these video lectures based on the Piano Teachers' Course, Ilga Pitkevica shares effective strategies from her own experience in making quick progress with developing sight reading, teaching scales and building the foundations of speed with beginners.... Read >>


Ilga Pitkevica Teaching

Foundations of Good Technique

Teaching and problem solving

In these video lectures Ilga shares her experience on how to teach good pianistic habits and ease of movements from the start, and how to tackle problems in piano playing caused by lack of flexibility. Ease of movement helps not only to avoid tension and unnecessary rigidness in piano playing,... Read >>


Ilga Pitkevica Teaching

Developing a Balanced Technique

Strategies and approaches for achieving "pianistic fitness"

Mastering core piano techniques is essential for the freedom to successfully express musical ideas. Based on her personal experience and the traditions of the Russian School, Ilga Pitkevica shares insights into approaches and strategies for achieving “pianistic fitness” and developing a balanced piano technique.... Read >>


Ilga Pitkevica Technique

Etudes & Studies – Czerny (Part 1)

Practical Method for Beginners (Op. 599)

In this lecture series, Ilga Pitkevica gives a tour of Czerny’s Practical Method for Beginners (Op. 599), explaining how and why these etudes should be used for developing and teaching both musical and technical skills. Ilga provides detailed suggestions for each of her favourite etudes from the collection practising, avoiding... Read >>


Ilga Pitkevica Technique Exercises