LEWISTON – Tamara Poddubnaya, one of Russia’s foremost pianists and a master teacher, will give a recital Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Franco-American Heritage Center. Her program will include works by Schumann and Chopin.

She will give a presentation especially for young audiences – though all ages are welcome – at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.

Dr. Poddubnaya graduated with distinction in 1976, earning a doctorate in piano performance from Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg, where she studied under Boris Lysenko and Irina Kugucheva.

Poddubnaya soon established herself as one of Russia’s finest keyboard artists and became a much-sought-after teacher. She has won numerous prizes in competitions in Europe and has performed throughout that continent, as well as in the United States. She brings her confidence, authority and vitality to classes at the International Academy of Music in Maryville, Tenn., the Long Island Conservatory and the Portland Conservatory of Music.

Commanding a vast repertoire and much in demand as a soloist and chamber music performer, Poddubnaya frequently serves on juries at international piano competitions, and performs at festivals in Europe and the United States, including the Portland International Piano Festival.

Upon visiting the Franco-American Heritage Center last summer she pronounced it a “jewel” among the performance halls of the world and now returns for her first public performance in Lewiston.

Her recital will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. For tickets and other information, call the Franco-American Heritage Center box office at 689-2000, or go online to www.francoamericanheritage.org.

There is no admission charge for the Friday afternoon “Hopes, Talents, Masters” program.