Svetlana Sokolova was born in Chelyabinsk, Russia. She graduated with distinction from three piano schools: the Chelyabinsk Music College with Revekka Gitlin and Boris Belitsky, the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz (Austria) with Alexander Satz. She graduated from the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz (Austria) with Alexander Satz.

She has won several music competitions in the solo piano category, including the V International J. Brahms Competition in Pörtschach (Austria) and the IV International Competition 'Franz Schubert and the Music of Today' in Graz (Austria).
Svetlana Sokolova began an active concert career in the early years of her studies, which took her to many important concert venues in Russia and a number of European countries, especially Austria, which has since become her second home. Since her debut here over 30 years ago, she has played with various orchestras, appeared in many concert halls in Vienna and almost all in Graz, at congresses of the European Association of Piano Pedagogues and at many international music festivals.
Svetlana Sokolova's extensive repertoire ranges from the early Baroque to the present day. In addition to her solo career, she has made a name for herself as an accompanist. Her concerts with outstanding musicians such as Kammersängerin Joanna Borowska, Kammersängerin Ildiko Raimondi, Giacomo Aragal, Natela Nicoli and her collaborations with many renowned singers such as Kammersängerin Christa Ludwig, Kammersängerin Marjana Lipovšek, Kammersängerin Angelika Kirchschlager, Teresa Berganza, Vladimir Chernov, Martin Klittmann, Wolfgang Müller-Lorenz, Elena Pankratova and others are highlights.
The pianist has always been very active in chamber music and especially as a concertmaster: first at the Chelyabinsk Music School, then at the Opera House, the Fuchs Conservatory and the Next Liberty Theatre in Graz, as well as at numerous festivals, masterclasses and competitions.

She can also be heard in live and recorded broadcasts on Austrian Radio.

Svetlana Sokolova's teaching career began early: since 1995 she has been teaching at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, where she has participated in numerous concerts and currently teaches voice and piano students.