Irina Zahharenkova (b. 1976) is Tapiola Sinfonietta’s artist in residence for the 2024/25 season. Zahharenkova, who lives in Finland, was born in Estonia and has since established herself in the international music world. She has won several prizes at prestigious international piano competitions, including the Johann Sebastian Bach Competition in Leipzig (2006), the Alessandro Casagrande Competition in Italy (2006), and the George Enescu Competition in Bucharest (2005). She was also a prize winner at the Artur Rubinstein Piano Competition in Tel Aviv (2008) and won the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship in 2007.

Zahharenkova earned her Master of Music degree from the Tallinn Conservatory of Music under Professor Lilian Semper. She later continued her studies at the Sibelius Academy in Finland under Professor Hui-Ying Líu-Tawaststjerna. She has also deepened her expertise in early music instruments such as the harpsichord and fortepiano.

Zahharenkova has performed extensively throughout Europe and Asia. Her solo concerts have been heard at many prestigious festivals, such as the Klavier-Festival Ruhr and Mendelssohn Festival in Germany, the Spoleto Festival in Italy, the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival and Naantali Music Festival in Finland, and the Prades Pablo Casals Festival in France. Her concerts have also included performances at such notable concert halls as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Konzerthaus in Berlin. Zahharenkova has also performed as a soloist with many leading orchestras, including the BBC Ulster Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. Her collaborations with conductors such as Olari Elts, Robert Trevino, and Leif Segerstam have earned her widespread acclaim.

Chief Conductors 1987–2001

Artistic Partners 2001–2023

Artists in Residence