Lithuanian pianist Ugnius Pauliukonis currently lives and studies in the United Kingdom, specifically at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Due to his musical talents and academic community recognition, Ugnius has won numerous awards, including important piano competitions such as the Amy Brant Piano Competition in Birmingham and the L. van Beethoven and F. Schubert Competitions in Manchester.
Before leaving to study abroad, Ugnius was very active in Lithuania, performing three or four recitals each year with different programs. Having reached a high level of musical development, he also performed with the Kaunas Symphony Orchestra, playing F. Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major with the orchestra.
After graduating from the M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts and attending Donaldas Račys' piano class, Ugnius left for the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he studied in Graham Scott's piano class. His talents were noticed from the beginning, as in his first year he was invited to play with the Manchester L. van Beethoven Symphony Orchestra, where he performed W. A. Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, K467, in C major.
Every year, Ugnius returns to Lithuania to perform concerts, including several recitals, sharing the stage with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and playing George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."
Throughout his musical career, Ugnius has participated in master classes, learning from world-renowned pianists from different countries, such as Jerome Lowenthal (USA), Eduardo Delgado (Argentina), Ilana Vered (Israel), Michael Lewin (USA), Sasha Starcevich (USA), Eveline Branckart (USA/Belgium), Matti Raekalio (Finland/Germany), Lang Lang (China), Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (France), and Valentina Berman (Italy/Russia).
In May 2014, Ugnius was awarded the prestigious ABRSM scholarship, which allowed him to continue his Master's studies for free at the Royal Northern College of Music from 2014-2016. During the 2013-2014 season, Ugnius performed at many well-known festivals and concert halls, such as the "Krisupo Festival," "Rokiškis Classical Music Festival," "Returns Festival," as well as "Lake District Summer Music Festival," "Ribchester Music Festival" (United Kingdom), "Millerstain Manor" (Scotland), and more.
