As an Ecuadorian concert pianist, educator, and international chess champion, Dr. Noreia Mueckay’s teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in her diverse background in piano, chess, cultural management, and education. She believes that the intersection of music, strategic thinking, and cultural appreciation provides a unique and holistic approach to education, with a strong foundation based on classical Russian methodology.
Renowned as the first Ecuadorian soloist to perform at New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall, she has captivated audiences in some of the world’s most esteemed venues, including the Rachmaninov Hall, Glinka Museum, and the Small Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, the Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg, the Suolahti Theater in Finland, Marien Capelle in Monheim, Germany and the Il Shin Theater in Seoul, South Korea, among others.
For her debut at Carnegie Hall, she was gifted a dress from the prestigious collection by designer Carolina Herrera, in recognition of her dedication and cultural contributions. She has served as a solo pianist and collaborated with renowned musicians at the Ecuadorian Embassies of Washington D.C., Paris, Madrid, Brussels, Moscow, and Seoul.
A distinguished alumna of the Gnessin Academy in Moscow, Dr. Mueckay began her piano lessons at age 6 with Italian Maestra Silvia Larraz Tomassi and continued at the Frederic Chopin Conservatory under Maestro Ibsen Manzano, in her home city of Guayaquil. At 16, she received a scholarship to study in Russia, at the School of Tchaikovsky Conservatory with Maestra Tatiana Valentinovna.
Following her passion for teaching, she later earned a master’s degree in Musical Pedagogy at the Gnessin Academy under Natalia Levovna Naumova. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree in Design of Cultural Spaces and Experiences from ES Design in Barcelona, and pursued doctoral studies in education at the University of Guayaquil.
Dr. Mueckay furthered her musical education through workshops with celebrated pianist Rudolf Kerer in Germany and Finland, and with Vladimir Yudilevich and Dr. Nina Lelchuk, in NYC.
Once settled in New York City, Dr. Mueckay has showcased her artistry at Weill and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space in Broadway, Steinway & Sons Hall, Merkin Concert Hall at the Kauffman Center, Queens Theater in the Park and the Andean Festival of Waterloo in New Jersey, organized by Pepe Santana, among others.
She has taught piano, Music History, and Fine Arts at her own studio and the Music Institute of Long Island, colleges in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Orlando and different cities of South America. She has also served as a judge in international music competitions, appeared on television, and has been featured in articles for international newspapers and magazines.
In New York City, Noreia co-founded Grupo Cultural Ecuador, promoting music in all its forms. She was recognized with a Proclamation from the City of New York in 2007 and from the State of New York in 2009 for her outstanding contributions to the community.
Beyond her musical achievements, Noreia is a legendary chess champion. A seven-time undefeated national champion, she was the first Ecuadorian woman to achieve an international FIDE rating (ELO) and triumphed over the world chess champion in the World Chess Female Championship. She was selected Best Athlete and Youth Role Model of Ecuador by the National Sport Council of Ecuador at 14.
Although she focused her passion to music, she has recently served as Cultural Assessor for the Ecuadorian National Chess Federation and as Attaché and mediator for Ecuador at the FIDE Ibero-American event held in 2022. She has cooperitavely organizined national chess tournaments and contributed to massifying chess in her country. In 2020 she cocreated the National Official Chess Online in collaboration with Chess.com as a way to maintain official chess activities during COVID times. Recognized with the highest Cultural Medal “Dr. Vicente Rocafuerte” by the National Congress of Ecuador in 2006 and the “Woman Art and Culture” award from the Guayaquil Council in 2023.
With a passion for teaching she also founded the NOREIA MUECKAY Intelligence Coaching methodology, integrating chess strategies into music education to enhance precision, creativity, and expression.
Dr. Mueckay-Carlier believes in integrating the benefits of music, the strategic thinking of chess, and the cultural appreciation gained from her management experience into her teaching. She aims to provide a comprehensive and enriching learning experience that fosters motivation, discipline, creativity, sensitivity, and global awareness in her students.
By combining her experiences in music, chess, cultural management, and education, she seeks to inspire her students to become well-rounded, thoughtful, and creative individuals.
She has two sons: Santiago, a Harvard graduate, and Yarik, an international laureate young pianist, as well as a lively Border Collie named Laika.
Dr. Mueckay currently serves as a piano faculty member at Prime Music Institute.
