Alla Gladysheva received an M.A. from Leningrad State Conservatory, where she majored in musicology studying with J.G. Kon, after starting a solfège, piano collaborative, and piano teaching career at age 17. She also served Karelian Radio and Television as a journalist, writing on musicology in Russia. She immigrated to the United States in 1995 and worked for 18 years as a pianist with several ballet companies, including the San Francisco Ballet School. She appeared as a member of various performing groups, including Lark, Tango #9, Adama, and Inextinguishable Trio. She has collaborated in recording of five CDs.