A London-based pianist is coming to Tauranga to showcase her unique programme, which highlights music by New Zealand women composers.

Pianist Xenia Pestova, who studied music in New Zealand, is coming back to perform contemporary music by living composers.

'I am very excited about this project. New Zealand remains my spiritual home, and I've been away for too long. This tour is a wonderful opportunity to share music that I love and care about deeply,” says Xenia.

Her programme highlights music by New Zealand women composers Glenda Keam, Annea Lockwood and Miriama Young.

The programme Gothic, also includes music by American composers Patricia Alessandrini and Arlene Sierra, Canadian Heather Hindman, Polish Daria Kwiatkowska and Clara Schumann alongside J.S. Bach, Ed Bennett, Luciano Berio and Claude Debussy.

She says she is committed to playing music by living composers alongside more traditional repertoire and is happy to play her part in making women composers more recognised in contemporary music.

'I feel that this is our duty as performers to be firmly grounded in the present and to explore wonderful new music. At the same time, it's great to be able to showcase pieces by fantastic composers who happen to be women; concert presenters, broadcasters and promoters are starting to redress the gender balance in classical music, but much work remains to be done.”

Xenia recently featured in a celebration concert and broadcast of music by women composers on BBC Radio 3 in London for International Women's Day.

Xenia studied with Judith Clark at the Victoria University of Wellington before continuing further studies abroad that led to a Doctor of Music in Canada.

The Tauranga performance will be held at the Graham Young Youth Theatre on Sunday, July 23, at 4pm.

Tickets will be available at Tauranga Musica on Oceanbeach Road or at the door.

At the door prices: Adults $32, students under 19 years $10 or free with an adult ticket.