Cristina Vlad Hayes, a native of Romania, is a pianist, educator, collaborative artist and adjudicator based in the Lincoln/Omaha area. At Concordia University, Nebraska, she teaches applied piano and keyboard skills. Additionally, she leads an adult community class at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and maintains a vibrant private studio, guiding students of all ages and abilities.
Dr. Vlad Hayes’s academic journey reflects her dedication to musical excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Gheorghe Dima Music Academy in Cluj-Napoca, Romania; a master’s degree and artist’s diploma from Bowling Green State University; and a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her studies under renowned mentors, including Ninuca Pop, Nina Panieva, Maxim Magilevski, Virginia Marks, Thomas Rosenkranz and Mark Clinton, have shaped her technical precision and expressive artistry.
As a performer, Vlad Hayes has graced stages in solo and collaborative settings across Romania, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Germany, Serbia, Austria and the United States, earning numerous honors and awards. Her passion for contemporary music has led her to premiere multiple new solo and chamber works, and she has performed at new music festivals in Romania, Italy and the United States. She also shares her expertise through lectures at universities in Costa Rica and Indonesia and participates in conferences focused on music pedagogy, performance and music appreciation.
Dr. Cristina Vlad Hayes is committed to community engagement, frequently performing with her students in churches, schools and retirement communities. Through her teaching, she inspires pianists at all levels to reach their full potential, fostering a lifelong love for music.