Ilja Scheps studied at the Moscow P. I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory under Professors Lev Vlassenko and Evgenij Schenderowitch. From 1982 to 1992, he was a soloist with the Moscow Philharmonic Society, performing in orchestral concerts, solo recitals, and as an accompanist for distinguished vocalists and instrumentalists. His extensive repertoire spans composers from Bach to Schnittke.
Since relocating to Germany in 1992, Scheps has become a passionate educator. He held professorships at Rostock Music University and Darmstadt Music Academy and, since 2003, has been a professor at the Cologne University of Music (Aachen). His students have achieved success in international competitions and as recording artists for Sony and Universal.
Scheps also teaches master classes worldwide and is a visiting professor at renowned institutions, including the Central Conservatory in Beijing, and is a regular guest at the Shenzhen Arts School and Gulangyu Piano School in Xiamen.
As a respected juror, he has served on panels for prestigious competitions like the Shenzhen International Piano Competition (China), “Top of the World” and “Grieg” competitions (Norway), the “Chopin” International Competition (Germany), and more.
Ilja Scheps has recorded over 10 CDs with labels including MCA (USA), Le Chant du Monde (France), Melodia (Russia), and ECM-Records. Since 2022, he has taught at the International Music Academy Anton Rubinstein in Düsseldorf.
