Israeli-Greek pianist Itamar Esformes, based in Los Angeles, is rapidly gaining recognition for his expressive depth, refined tone, and artistic versatility. His performances across Israel, Europe, and the United States have captivated audiences with their unique blend of technical brilliance and emotional sincerity.

His artistry has been recognized through numerous awards and fellowships, including the Israeli-American Cultural Foundation Excellence Scholarship, the Hurst Fellowship and Polonsky Foundation Fellowship (Aspen Music Festival), the Colton Fellowship for Outstanding M.M.A. Students, and the Ronen Foundation Scholarship for gifted young Israeli artists. He is also a prizewinner of the BMSM Piano Concerto Competition (First Prize), the Pnina Zaltzman National Piano Competition (First Prize, Chamber; Third Prize, Solo), and the BMSM Chamber Competition (Second Prize).

Among his wide-ranging professional activities, Itamar has worked as a collaborative pianist in the prestigious “Art of Song” workshop at The Colburn School, led by distinguished artists James Conlon and Frederica von Stade. He has also appeared at leading international festivals including the Aspen Music Festival and School (USA), the ISSA Academy (Austria), and the Tel Hai International Piano Masterclasses (Israel).

Performance highlights include recitals at Harris Concert Hall and the Basalt Library in Aspen, his Master’s Graduation Recital in Tel Aviv, and concerto appearances with the Buchmann-Mehta Symphony Orchestra and the Haifa Symphony Orchestra. His playing has been broadcast on Israeli National Radio, and his interpretations of Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, and Prokofiev have been praised for their lyricism, clarity, and expressive intensity.

Itamar’s repertoire encompasses a wide range of solo, chamber, and concerto works. His recent recordings feature music by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Haydn, Bartók, Prokofiev, and Busoni, reflecting his curiosity and commitment to artistic exploration.

Alongside his performing career, Itamar is devoted to music education. He has taught students of all ages, served as a teacher in the PALS Summer Program at the Aspen Music Festival, and graduated with honors from the Methodology of Piano Teaching program at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, where he also prepared university students for their annual “Keyboard Proficiency Exams.”

Currently pursuing his Artist Diploma at The Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles under Prof. Fabio Bidini, Itamar previously earned both his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (Summa Cum Laude) from the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at Tel Aviv University, studying with Prof. Emanuel Krasovsky, Mrs. Hana Shalgi, Prof. Arnon Erez, and Mrs. Ruth Zuri.

Fluent in Hebrew and English, with working knowledge of German, Itamar draws on his Israeli-Greek heritage to bring warmth, depth, and individuality to his performances. From his home in Los Angeles, he continues to share his artistry on international stages, guided by a deep belief in music’s power to connect, inspire, and transform.