ELZA GUSHIKEM studied with pianist Menininha Lobo, in São Paulo, and later with Professor Jan Ekier at the Warsaw Academy of Music. She was awarded several prizes in piano competitions such as the “Young Soloists of the São Paulo Philharmonic”, the “Chopin Award” in the Folha de São Paulo National Competition and the “Lili Kraus Award” in the National Piano Competition of Bahia State. As soloist and chamber musician, she has performed extensively in Brazil and abroad. “Sarau Brasileiro” and “Série Música Brasileira” stand out amongst her several recordings. From 1973 to 1997 she was a Professor of Music in the Department of Music at the University of Brasilia, where she taught piano and chamber music.