Alina Kolonitskaya (piano) Born in St Petersburg, Alina came to England in 1995, entering Chetham’s school of music in 1997, where her tutor was Nigel Pitceathly. She graduated in Music from Nottingham University in 2002 and has given many well-received recitals around the UK. The Emotzia Duo, which she founded with flautist Helen Benson, has given many successful concerts in London, Manchester and other English cities. Alina is strongly devoted to her Russian roots, and is constantly seeking to promote the ‘Russian School’ of piano playing and teaching in the UK.