Vladislava is described by scholars and critics as “…an interesting musician with a wide repertoire and distinct style” (L.I. Shugom, People’s Artist of Russia), “…an original brilliant musician”(A.A. Khanakhu, Honored Worker of culture of Russia), “…fearless in performing new music styles to the audience” (G. I. Nelipovich, composer, member of Journalist Union of Russia). Her repertoire has been built through various concerts in a variety of Russian cities and through television and radio appearances. It spans many musical styles from Baroque to Modern.
Ms. Henderson’s characteristic twist is mastering and performing entire series of pieces. Among such musical compositions there are “The Seasons” by Tchaikovsky, “Six Moments Musicaux” by Rachmaninoff, 24 preludes, opus 11 by Scriabin, the suite “Towards Kamchatka” by Nelipovich and others.
Born to a family of professional musicians in Krasnodar, South Russia, Vladislava began playing piano at the age of three with her mother, but it soon turned out that Vladislava couldn’t see her mother as a teacher. Vladislava’s first teacher became M.K. Rybitskaya, a graduate of Moscow Conservatory and a student of Yakov Flier.
Vladislava traveled a lot with her parents throughout her early life. She lived in the Black Sea region, Grozny (Chechnya), in the Arctic, in the North Pacific (Kamchatka peninsula) and central Russia (Saratov). From a very early age Vladislava liked to be on stage playing piano or singing. She played her first solo recital at the age of 11. She participated in many children and youth festivals. Vladislava has won awards and received recognition and special mention in children and youth competitions for her musical talent and artistic expression. All of these experiences have shaped her style.
Vladislava graduated her first professional music school in Krasnodar (the capitol of South of Russia, her home city) – Children’s school of Art, named after G.F. Ponomarenko. Her Bachelor of Arts degree was earned at the Kamchatka College of Art with honored artist of Russia V.P. Tumilo-Denisovich as her supervisor. A master’s degree and a doctorate in piano performance and pedagogy was granted to Vladislava at the Saratov Conservatory, which is named after L.V. Sobinov, under the instruction of professors N.M. Smirnova and V.E. Khanetsky, and People’s Artist of Russia, professor L.I. Shugom.
During her college years and after graduating her Master’s program, Vladislava participated actively in Kamchatka’s musical and cultural life. She performed at the international festival “Kamchatskaya musikal’naya Vesna” (“Musical Spring in Kamchatka”) at the Kamchatka Philharmonic Hall and in a concert series for the 300th anniversary of the union of Kamchatka and Russia (1997), featuring a new work written for this occasion – the piano suite “Towards Kamchatka” by Garry Nelipovich. In 2003 Vladislava was also invited to play for the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg at Pavlovsk Palace.
Soon after graduating her Master’s program, Vladislava moved to the USA where she now lives with her husband and son. Ms. Henderson is performing mostly throughout the Midwest and recording CDs. She has produced a CD “Snow Fantasy” with “The Seasons” by Tchaikovsky and “Towards Kamchatka” by Garry Nelipovich, Scriabin, Preludes, op. 11 and Rachmaninoff, “Six Moments Musicaux”, op. 16. Vladislava is also planning to produce a CD together with her Piano duet partner and her mother, Ludmila Syabrenko. The CD will include works by Mozart, Schubert, Rachmaninoff, Lutoslavskiy and Piazzolla.