Updated: August 18, 2025
Maria Kaushansky is a pianist residing in New York City. Born in Russia, she immigrated with her family to Israel, then to Canada in her childhood. Maria holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Toronto.
Maria has been residing in NYC since 2015. As a bandleader, she has established and held long-term residencies at venues including Back Bar at Eventi Hotel, Gotham Restaurant, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Adalya Restaurant, and Le Petit Parisien Supper Club. She has also performed at Knickerbocker Bar and Grill, Django Jazz Club, Sweet Afton, IVY Room, The Last Word, Flatiron Room, Zero Bond, Parker's NYC, The Players NYC, Campbell Bar, Nublu, Yale Club and Harmonie Club, among others.
In addition to performing, Maria is one of the most in-demand ballet accompanists in NYC. She currently plays for ballet classes at The Juilliard School, Steps on Broadway, School of American Ballet, and Youth America Grand Prix. She has previously played at the National Ballet of Canada, Dance Theater of Harlem, and Joffrey Ballet School, among other dance training institutions.
This fall, Maria will release her debut album Northbound to Finch, recorded with her trio in December 2024 at Trading 8s Recording Studio in New Jersey. The album is a tribute to Maria’s upbringing in Toronto, Canada. All of the songs on the album are Maria’s original compositions, and inspired by her hometown. Her collaborators on the album are two veteran musicians of the New York Jazz scene, Paul Gill on bass and the late Anthony Pinciotti on drums. In addition to this album, Maria will release a “companion” album for ballet classes.
