Ioannis Potamousis, described by the Pasatiempo as “New Colossus of the keys,” is internationally acclaimed as a charismatic and passionate performer, known for his captivating artistry and introspective poetic expression. His performances have taken him to prestigious venues across Europe, the Middle East and North America. Potamousis is a Steinway Artist and a prizewinner of several international piano contests, including the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati, where he won a silver medal, and the International Piano Competition in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He received degrees from Musikhochschule Cologne and New York’s Mannes College of Music, and earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts from Rutgers University.
Currently, he serves as the Head of Keyboard Studies at Brighton College Abu Dhabi and as Adjunct Piano Faculty at New York University in Abu Dhabi. He organized the Young Artist Competition on behalf of the NSO Symphony Orchestra and is currently the co-founder of the Young Musician series “Pollen”–Spreading the Seed of Music.
Natalia Tykhonova (Mills) is a celebrated, classically trained pianist from Ukraine. She began her piano studies at the age of five and holds a bachelor's degree from the Kaarabitsa State Musical College in Artemovsk, Ukraine. She went on to earn her master's degree from the Donetsk Conservatory in 2006. Tykhonova is a winner of several international and Ukrainian competitions and has performed with different chamber orchestras, jazz bands and at numerous festivals.
A dedicated piano pedagogue with over 19 years of teaching experience, she currently serves as adjunct professor of music at American University of Sharjah. There she maintains a piano studio, instructs group piano classes and performs solo concerts. Additionally, Tykhonova instructs a diverse range of private piano students, preparing them for ABRSM examinations, as well as coaching and supporting young pianists in recitals and international competitions.
Jane Yevheniya Shumilova is Ukrainian classical pianist, trained by some of the best teachers at the S. Krushelnytska Special Music Boarding School and M. Lysenko Lviv National Music Academy in Ukraine. In 2008, she was invited to perform in the UAE as Concert Pianist in Residence, where she developed an admiration for the country’s rich culture. Since then, she has been living, performing and teaching in the UAE.
Shumilova is a proud member of the AUS Performing Arts Program, where she works as a piano instructor and accompanist to the AUS Choir. With over 20 years of teaching and performance, Shumilova has performed in Europe, the Middle East and Canada. She has taken part in many concerts and philanthropic events with solo and collaborative programs. Her repertoire ranges from Haydn, Beethoven and Chopin to the ever popular classics of the Beatles, Sting, Fairouz and jazz standards.
Born in Novi Sad, Serbia, Jelena Dukic received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the Academy of Arts at th eUniversity of Novi Sad. She went on to receive her master’s and doctoral degrees in music from Florida International University-Miami and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. There and at Southeast Community College, Dukic also went on to teach piano and music theory as Graduate Teaching Assistant. Dukic has participated in numerous competitions and has consistently received recognition in many, including the UNL Solo Concerto Competition, Florida International University Concerto Competition, Concorsi Internazionali di Musica-Citta di Stressa in Italy, International Competition of Pianists "Nikolai Rubinstein" in France, and the Competition of Young Pianists of Yugoslavia in Belgrade, among others. She has also performed as a soloist with the FIU Symphony Orchestra and the UNL Symphony Orchestra following her victories in their solo concerto competitions. She became a Member of The Golden Key International Honor Society in 2010.
Currently based in Dubai, Dukic is the founder of JD Group where she teaches and prepares students for ABRSM and Trinity exams. She is also a music faculty member at Nord Anglia International School’s Music Academy in Dubai and Adjunct Piano Professor at American University of Sharjah. She was awarded the Golden Visa by the Government of Dubai in July 2022 for her contribution to Culture in the United Arab Emirates.
Fatima Alhashmi is a distinguished Emirati opera singer, recognized for her contributions to the UAE’s cultural landscape. She has performed internationally at prestigious venues like Bolshoi and Enescu Hall with renowned orchestras, representing the UAE in diplomatic and cultural
events. With a background in performing arts management, Alhashmi is committed to bridging performance, education and research. Passionate about advancing the arts, she continuously seeks opportunities to elevate the presence of Emirati talent on the global stage. Her work promotes artistic excellence while fostering cultural appreciation and education. She has performed in 20 different languages in Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Alhashmi is a leading figure in the UAE’s music scene, inspiring the next generation by proving that a career in music is both viable and impactful. As a cultural ambassador and role model, she is dedicated to shaping the future of music in the UAE through performance, mentorship and academic research. She is an artist resident at American University of Sharjah and a founding member of Emirati Musicians Association.
Lina Hejjawi earned her Doctorate in Music Education at Boston University, USA. She joined AUS in 2007 after more than 15 years of teaching at Amman Baccalaureate School, the National Music Conservatory-Noor Al Hussein Foundation, and her piano studio. She has taught instrumental piano lessons, music history and appreciation, composition and arranging, and ethnomusicology. Currently, she teaches music theory and ear training at AUS.
