Kamilla Bystrova was born in Moscow and began studying piano with her mother, a music professor. She is a graduate of the famous piano school founded by Heinrich Neuhaus, who taught Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels and Radu Lupu. She earned a Master’s degree from the Conservatory of St. Petersburg and went on to perform with the Moscow Philharmonic Society across Europe. She attended master classes of Emanuel Ax, Mstislav Rostropovich and Ruth Nye.

After she received another Master’s degree from The Hague’s Royal Conservatory with Naum Grubert, Bystrova was invited to join the faculty, and performed as a soloist and with chamber ensembles. In 1992, she won The Link Prize for her performance of Pictures At An Exhibition. 

She has transcribed songs by Schumann and Tchaikovsky, and has recently expanded the repertoire by adapting Schubert’s Winterreise for solo piano. Her performance of this new work will be released soon.

In addition to her busy teaching and performing schedule, Bystrova paints, draws and sculpts. Her work can be found in private collections. An avid outdoors enthusiast, she enjoys hiking and skiing.