The Global Music Stage Starts at Tel Aviv University

What do you get when you combine world-class faculty of the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, excellent rehearsal and concert facilities featuring beautiful Steinway pianos, and full-tuition scholarships for international students? For Illia Ovcharenko, a talented pianist from Ukraine, this harmony did not just bring education–it created a home where the notes of classical music danced to the pulsing rhythm of Tel Aviv, preparing him for success on the global stage.

Ovcharenko’s career as a performing pianist was kickstarted with a Bachelor’s of Music degree from the International Music program offered at Tel Aviv University. The program was established in 2008 to attract outstanding musicians from all over the world. 

"The School of Music offers multiple scholarships for international students, which make life so much easier–we can focus on music instead of worrying about finances," says Ovcharenko, who joined the program in 2018 to study in the Piano Department.

Illia Ovcharenko (Photo courtesy of Vere Music Fund)

He first heard about this opportunity when Dmitry Yablonsky, conductor and cellist, came from Tel Aviv to Kyiv to hold auditions at the Central Music School where Ovcharenko was studying at the time:

"I always dreamt of studying with TAU’s Professor Arie Vardi. He’s truly one of the best professors in the world in our field."

Ovcharenko also greatly appreciates how multicultural and open TAU is: "The international program at Tel Aviv University is full of diversity, and everyone feels welcome and does not feel alone."

Music Paradise at TAU

Ovcharenko has been playing the piano since the age of six. "I really cannot imagine my life without music—without performing on stage. I haven’t considered any other path since I was 12," he says. 

Being a musician requires a lot of focus and dedication. Having the right guidance and supporting environment means a lot during a musician's formative years. Ovcharenko found all of this, and so much more at TAU’s School of Music:

"It was such a warm and welcoming environment, I wanted to stay there all day."

"I’d come, sit on the couch, talk to everyone passing by, practice a little, then rest for two hours," he reminisces. Having the opportunity to relax after rehearsing is invaluable for music students, who can unwind by the sea under palm trees on one of Tel Aviv’s many beaches.

Ovcharenko on stage (Photo courtesy of Monique de St. Croix)

Ovcharenko looks back fondly on all the staff and professors who were friendly and supportive: 

"Whether it’s advice, permissions, or just a warm hello, they were always there for us." 

"For instance, Professor Asaf Zohar, the head of the piano department, was always approachable. You could talk to him about music or life, and it was always a pleasure," says Ovcharenko.

What also sets TAU apart are the recording and performance facilities, like Claremont Hall and Targ Hall, which students can use freely. And not every school in the world can boast Steinway Model D pianos, the Stradivarius of pianos, unrivalled in tone and craftsmanship.

Classical Music Reflects Life Itself

"Classical music doesn’t die; it’s always there for those who seek it and it will always stay relevant. Even today, concert halls are full and music continues to inspire," says Ovcharenko. He adds that music pieces such as Beethoven’s symphonies are eternal:

"These pieces are profound statements about life, death, and the human condition. It’s an incredible skill to convey such depth without words."

For Ovcharenko, music is a reflection of the composer’s life and emotions: "Knowing what a composer was experiencing—whether they were at the peak of life or nearing death—is deeply moving," he shares. 

Illia Ovcharenko performing at the Hilton Head Competition. Photo courtesy of Hilton Head Competition

His favorite music period at the moment is Romanticism, with composers like Schumann and Schubert at the top of his list. However, he notes that for professional musicians, preferences often change, mirroring the events and emotions that shape their lives.

"Playing a new piece of music is like discovering an unfamiliar route in a city," says Ovcharenko. "At first, you need Google Maps. But after walking it a few times, you just know the way. It’s the same with music. At first, you need the score, but then you start to memorize the journey. You recognize landmarks in the music, like harmonies or key changes, and they guide you."

A Pianist’s Journey

Currently, Ovcharenko performs almost every week, and sometimes even daily, travelling across North America and Europe. Israel is also present on his concert itinerary–he performed with Haifa Symphony in March 2024 and is set to return in June 2025 to play Rachmaninov’s First Piano Concerto with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, a tour he is very much looking forward to.

In the future, he would like to follow in Prof Vardi’s footsteps and combine a performance career with teaching: "I’ve started giving masterclasses and found it very fulfilling." The message he shares with the participants of his masterclasses resonates far beyond the music world:

"Confidence is so incredibly important for us musicians. Once we believe in ourselves, everything's possible."

If you are ready to take the music stage with confidence, Tel Aviv University’s Buchmann-Mehta School of Music is the perfect place to turn your dreams into reality.

Apply now and sign up for auditions!