Biography
A passionate believer in the power of storytelling, Rebecca Cojan is a pianist who thrives in the blurred junction between music and language. Described as “a wonderful musician who adjusts superbly” (Tom Beghin), Rebecca is a prize winner of the Carl Filtsch International Competition, Nice Côte d’Azur International Competition, and Constanta International Competition for Young Pianists. After her first engagement with the “Mihail Jora” Philharmonic in Bacau at the age of eleven, the Romanian pianist continued to perform as a soloist with the “Transylvania” state Philharmonic in Cluj-Napoca, the State Philharmonic in Sibiu, and the “Oleg Danovski” Opera Orchestra in Constanta, under the baton of conductors Tiberiu Soare and Jozsef Horvath.
As a recipient of the SoNoRo Interferences Scholarship, Rebecca had the privilege to perform Rachmaninoff’s Trio élégiaque No. 1 alongside violinist Alexandra Tirsu and cellist Julian Arp, under the mentorship of Diana Ketler, Christoph Wyneken, and Razvan Popovici. Aside from participating in numerous chamber music performances, Rebecca’s versatile artistry has led to incursions into conducting and historical performance, as well as accompanying and vocal coaching. Her exposure to improvisation was a “happy accident” caused by the lack of written piano arrangements in her childhood church. This, in turn, has led her to believe that composing can make anyone a better musician, regardless of execution. Rebecca’s Calendae Christi, a choral work heavily influenced by Romanian folklore, was recently performed in the cities of Cluj-Napoca and Oradea, which forced her to accept that some people may even like her music.
Aside from spurring an interest in researching semiology at the intersection between music and literature, Rebecca’s obsession with books has also granted her a rich imagination, which she ruthlessly inflicts on others through writing. When not practising, Rebecca can often be found staring reverently at Tolkien’s trilogy, wondering if she too will finally publish something - preferably before retirement.
Having participated in courses held by acclaimed musicians such as Jean-Bernard Pommier, Denis Pascal, Gottlieb Wallisch, Anna Fedorova, Konrad von Abel, Ana Mirabela Dina, and Josu de Solaun, Rebecca Cojan completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s studies under Prof. Daniel Goiti at the “Gheorghe Dima” National Music Academy in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She is currently a Graduate Assistant in Opera Accompanying at the Peabody Institute and a Graduate Performance Diploma student in the studio of Prof. Boris Slutsky.
Teaching Philosophy
With a foundation in European conservatory training and ongoing studies in the United States, Rebecca approaches both teaching and performance as deeply interconnected disciplines rooted in perseverance, empathy, and authenticity. Having completed the second level of the Romanian Pedagogy Modules, which qualify graduate students to teach at both pre-college and college levels, Rebecca’s pedagogy is guided by the example of her outstanding mentors. Her approach views virtuosity as a powerful tool: never an end in itself, but a means to facilitate meaningful and honest expression.
Rebecca encourages students of all ages to engage critically with musical texts, develop informed interpretations, and cultivate artistic independence. By fostering resilience, intellectual curiosity, and self-awareness, she prepares students not only for the demands of the profession but also for a lifelong, sustainable relationship with their art, grounded in purpose, reflection, and an unwavering respect for the power of music to connect across barriers.
Photo taken at educational recital "Intre Alb si Negru," Zorki Photo Cafe, Cluj-Napoca, March 2019.
Creative Mission
In an increasingly individualistic world, Rebecca’s goal is to create a ‘jarring consonance’ by supporting the development of others, in both professional and personal settings. For this purpose, she came up with an approach she affectionately calls ‘The Innkeeper Philosophy.’ Inspired by the Helper Archetype found in her favourite childhood books and Romanian folk tales, Rebecca believes the Innkeeper’s goal is not to become the main character, but to provide a safe space where other heroes can be nurtured back to strength.
Growing up in the highly competitive Romanian vocational system, Rebecca and her peers often faced limited resources and opportunities. Despite these challenges, she has come to believe that “when one of us makes it, all of us make it.”
When it comes to the art of performance, the 'Innkeeper Philosophy' is manifested through a generous sublimation of the self. Rebecca would prefer that her audience remember the music rather than the performer and finds her utmost artistic purpose in trying to convey the hidden message of a musical work. This way, she hopes, no one who listens will ever feel alone.
Community
After fighting a severe hand injury at the age of 13, Rebecca decided she wanted to keep pursuing a musical career even if she was going to be “the worst pianist in the world.”
Nowadays, despite only reaching a ninth, Rebecca stubbornly believes she can play music by Sergei Rachmaninoff, which she often includes in her recitals and concert programs. She also refuses to admit defeat in the face of six-foot-tall male competitors, and believes that alternatively sized keyboards will eventually become a thing at some point in her grandchildren’s lifetime.
Having taken part in charitable recitals since childhood, Rebecca finds fulfillment in making classical music accessible to everyone. Her latest projects include educational recitals in schools, churches and coffee shops in Cluj-Napoca and Houston, as well as being one of the main guests of the “Cufarul cu Muzica” podcast organized by the Jubilate Foundation.