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JSFest competition


Jury members

Chairperson Maria Tuturilova, harp
The young harpist Mag. Maria Tuturilova is one of the new leading harpists on the current concert scene. As further recognition of her excellent skills, she has been officially listed in the encyclopedia "Who is Who Austria" since 2009 and has been awarded Austrian citizenship since
December 2010. Born in Sofia/ Bulgaria, she began her musical education at the age of 7 with the piano and later at the age of 11 with the harp.
International award-winning Harpist and teacher Mag. Maria Tuturilova holds 4 master's degree with distinction from the State Music Academy "Prof. P. Vladigerov" (2000): harp in the class of Prof. Malina Christova (student of the legendary Prof. Vera Dulova in Moscow), conducting, music pedagogy, piano and organ. 1999-2001 postgraduate degree for harp at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna in the class of Univ. Prof. A. Blovsky-Miller (member of the Vienna State Opera). Completed numerous harp master classes in Europe (A. Fontaine, C. Popova, Prof. E. Witsenburg, A. Schinozaki, C. Michel, I. Moretti, I. I. Roncea, P. Tassini, J. Molnar, etc.).
As a concert harpist and harp teacher Mag. Maria Tuturilova has won prizes (Grand Prix and 1st prize) at over 80 international competitions and festivals for harp (Sofia, Beograd, Moscow, Munich, Italy, Argentina, Slovenia, Ireland, Spain, USA, Hong Kong, etc). Some of her students are also prize winners of various international competitions. In addition to her performing and teaching career, Mag. Tuturilova is an established international juror (Chairperson Scandinavian Int. Music Competition, JSFest Jean Sibelius Int. Music Competition & Edvard Grieg Int. Music Competition, Savshinsky Int. Music Competition St. Petersburg, Stockholm Int. Music Competition, Musical Lace Int. Competition, etc.)
Mag. Tuturilova has received the following scholarships and other awards: International Foundation "Open Society Soros", Zonta International, Herbert von Karajan Center & Thyll-Dürr Foundation, Live Music Now "Yehudi Menuhin", etc. Golden Badge for Achievements from the
National Society "Mati Bolgaria", Ministry of Culture of Republic Bulgaria, World Harp Congress Scholarship, etc. Numerous CD recordings and film music (Ennio Morricone), TV and Radio live broadcasts, etc. Solo recitals, chamber music concerts. Regular soloist with "SOFIA SOLOISTS" Chamber Ensemble, chamber orchestra "EPOCH", chamber orchestra "TEMPI CONCERTATI", State Academic Symphonic Orchestra, Men's Choir "GUSLA", Sofia Women's Chamber Choir "Vassil Arnaoudov", etc.
Orchestra concerts (Principal Harpist: 1st Private Orchestra for Film Music, New Symphonic Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic, ELO Electric Light Orchestra, Keyo Wagner Society Orchestra Tokyo, etc.) in Europe & USA, World Harp Congress, etc. under Maestros R. Milanov, E. Tabakov, P. Djurov, E. Morricone, K, Jarvi, A. Previn, M. Jurowski, D. Russell Davies, P. Boulez, etc.
2002-2008 solo harpist of the Vienna city hall, 2008-2010 solo pianist & harpist Imperial Riding School. Since 2003 regular substitute for the Tonkünstler Orchestra Lower Austria, RSO, Vienna Chamber
Orchestra, Vienna State Opera, Children's Opera and Philharmonie, etc.
For more information visit:
www.mariatuturilova.com
www.instagram.com/mariaharpangel

Zoraida Avila, harp
She graduated at Tchakovsky Moscow Conservatory, where she studied with the eminent harpist Vera Dulova, obtaining a "Master of Arts" (1983) and "Philosophical Doctor" (1985). She also has the title of "The Associated of Royal College of Music", London, UK (1989). She has received awards in international competitions and festivals such as the National Harp Competition of the USSR (1984) and the "Andrés Segovia" Spanish Music Award. She has performed in Venezuela, USSR, Russia, Bulgaria, England, Belgium, Denmark, Algeria, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Greece, Norway, India and China.
In some of these countries She performed for television and the recordings of her interpretations are often broadcast by different radio stations worldwide.
She has participated in several international festivals: First Latin American Harp Festival, San Jose, Costa Rica; XV Festival do Estoril, Portugal; II World Harp Festival in Cardiff, Wales; VII Festival of El Hatillo, Venezuela, 5th European Harp Symposium in Amsterdam, Netherlands among others.
She recorded a CD with the chamber music group " Isolda" (1989) Her Solo reccordings have earned her praise from international critics: "Between Two Worlds" (1986) with repertoire transcribed and dedicated to Nicanor Zabaleta; and "Paths" (1998) published by the University of Curaçao, which shows her work as a transcriber and arranger of Latin American music.
She has been a member of the Jury in several competitions: The "International Competition of Harpers", Moscow 1997 and 1999, The "International Festival Vera Dulova" (Moscow, 1997 and 2000) and The "Competition of Chamber Music with Harp," in Arles, France , 2001, The "First International Harp Contest" in Szeged, Hungary, 2007, and The First International Harp Competition "Ksenia Erdely" in St. Petersburg, Russia.
She chairs the Cultural Association Isolda, through which she organizes the international competition " The Iberian Chamber Music Competition with Harp", which reached its fourth edition in February 2014.
In 2008 She participated as a special guest at the Festival "The soul of the Harp" held at The Centre of Art Workers in Moscow, Russia, where she gave a lecture on" the Spanish music for harp". She has coordinated three editions of compact "Isolda sings Tales" (2018, 2010 and 2012) in which her students perform works of didactic repertoire for solo harp and in combination with other instruments.
She held in usufruct the Harp that belonged the harpist Nicanor Zabaleta, which is provided with an eighth damper pedal, a system designed by the same harpist.
With this instrument she touredd as a soloist and with the chamber music group Isolda.
She is currently working on a doctoral thesis in Musicology about" the Romantic Harp in Spain" for the Faculty of Geography and History of the Complutense University of Madrid.

Güneş Hızlılar, harp
Graduating with distinction from the Mozarteum University Salzburg and performing with the Staatskapelle Berlin under the baton of Daniel Barenboim, Güneş Hızlılar is described by musical authorities as "possessing a deep musical intelligence and one of the great talents in today’s harp world.” Born in Istanbul in 1995, she began her musical education in 2006 at the Istanbul University State Conservatory under Assistant Professor Ümit Tunak. She continued her undergraduate studies at the Mozarteum University Salzburg with Professor Stephen Fitzpatrick.
Hızlılar gained recognition through her exceptional performances in international harp competitions, achieving distinctions in events such as the Marcel Tournier International Harp Competition, Assia Cunego IHC in Bremen, Josef-Reinl IHC in Vienna, and Martin Geliot IHC in Paris.
Her debut concert as a soloist with the Istanbul University Symphony Orchestra in 2015 marked the beginning of her international career. She then performed Debussy’s Danse Sacrée et Profane at the Pacific Philharmonic Orchestra’s concerto competition in Vancouver, Canada.
In 2018, Hızlılar was selected for the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) “Women Stars of Tomorrow” project, performing at the 46th Istanbul Music Festival alongside guest of honor İdil Biret. That same year, she gave a solo recital in the Shining Stars series at İş-Sanat, earning the Meriç Soylu Honorable Mention Award.
In addition to her solo and chamber music endeavors, Hızlılar toured Europe and South America as a member of the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie orchestra, performing in venues such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Frankfurt Alte Oper, and Sala São Paulo. She also premiered works with the Austrian Ensemble for New Music.
Supported by the “Ceren Necipoğlu” scholarship from the Turkish Harp Society, Hızlılar attended the Harp Masters Academy in Switzerland, studying with harp virtuosos Isabelle Perrin, Irina Zingg, and Karen Vaughan. She further honed her craft with artists like Isabelle Moretti, Xavier de Maistre, Jana Bouskova, and Alice Giles, mastering a broad repertoire from early to modern music.
After graduating with highest honors from Mozarteum University Salzburg in 2019, Hızlılar began her master’s studies at the same institution. Accepted into the orchestra academy of the Staatskapelle Berlin, she performed under the direction of Daniel Barenboim with renowned conductors and soloists such as Zubin Mehta, Martha Argerich, and Pinchas Zukerman. Following her tenure with Staatskapelle Berlin, she served as deputy solo harpist at the Niedersächsische Staatsorchester Hannover, performing harp solos in major operas and symphony concerts.
Hızlılar's education was supported by the Rotary Club, Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, Yehudi Menuhin Foundation, and the Contemporary Education Foundation’s Young Talents Project. In 2023, she graduated with the highest honors from Mozarteum University Salzburg with a master’s degree. Recently, she drew attention with her solo recital at the 51st Istanbul Music Festival. Hızlılar continues to perform across Turkey and Europe, bringing the enchanting world of the harp to wider audiences. June 2024

Emanuela Degli Esposti, harp
Emanuela Degli Esposti, Harp Professor at the A.Boito Conservatory of Music in Parma, is Artistic Director of the International Contest and Festival "Suoni d’Arpa", Vice-president of the Association Conoscere la Musica and President of the Italian Harp Association. She studied harp with Prof. A.N.Schirinzi in Bologna Conservatory and at the Rubin Academy of Tel Aviv with Prof. J. Liber. She recorded several Album Fonit Cetra, Bottega Discantica and Tactus. As soloist, performed recitals in various Festivals in Italy and abroad, plays in duo and quartet with the harpist Ieuan Jones. She played as 1st harp in the orchestras of Florence, Milan and Naples RAI, Swiss Radio of Lugano, performing with conductors such as Berio, Chailly, Delman, Ficher, Kuhn, Inbal, Mehta, Muti, Oren, Prêtre, and won the 1stPrize at the international chamber music competitions at Stresa and Palmi. She published a book about C. P. E. Bach and publisheded UT Orpheus Edition music for harp which have been included in the programs of international harp competitions such as International Harp Contest in Israel, International American Harp Competition, Franz-Josef-Reinl International Harp Contest in Munich, International Harp Contest Suoni d'Arpa. She is Director of the Leonardo Primavera Harp Orchestra and has been jury member in international harp contests such as Israel (1998 and 2003), Munich (1999), M.Tournier (2009-2012), Belgrade (2014), Novi Sad (2017), Rencontres Internationales de la Harpe en Ile de France (2017), International Slovenian Harp Contest (2019), St.Petersburg Cristal Key Harp Contest (2019), Barcellona – Madrid Arpa Plus and International AEDA Contest (2021). She has helds international master classes and concerts at Assisi Umbria Festival, London Royal College, Lovere Tadini Academy, Belgrade Mokranjac Academy, Madrid Real Conservatorio Superior, Pipkov High School in Sofia, Riga Vītols Academy, Rio Harp Festival, Villa Medici-Giulini, Opera House of St.Petesburg, Feldkirch Stella Vorarlberg Hochschule.
https://www.emanueladegliesposti-harp.com/

Daniela Iolkicheva, harp
Michel Plasson - “Daniela is an extraordinary harpist with a highly consolidated technique and enchanting musicality.”Daniela was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. At the age of 9, she started to study the piano and five years later, commenced her harp studies in the L. Pipkov Musical Institute with Constance Karadjova.In 1980, she received the harp position in the Bulgarian PIONER Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1984, Daniela commenced her studies in the Sofia National Conservatoire. A year later, she won a scholarship to study at the Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatoire in St. Petersburg, where, in 1990 and under the direction of the renowned harpist Tatiana Tauer, she obtained a PhD in Harp studies (as the first study instrument) and a further PhD in Piano studies (as a second study instrument), graduating with first-class honours (Summa Cum Laude).The following prizes Daniela has won are worth noting: Silver medal in the 7th Bulgarian National Harp Competition (1985), where she also received the Special Prize for the Youngest Participant; she was a prize winner in the International Festivals in Moscow and St. Petersburg (1988); the Andrés Segovia and José Miguel Ruiz Morales prize as the most distinguished student in the Música en Compostela competition, awarded by the prestigious harpist Nicanor Zabaleta; the Jakez François 1st prize in the 1st Iberian Chamber Music with Harp Competition in Madrid (2004), with violinist Sergei Teslia. In 1991, Daniela received the harp soloist position in the Royal Seville Symphony Orchestra. Since 2002, she has been the harp tutor at the Special School for Music at San Francisco de Paula School in Seville. She also gives master classes sponsored by grants awarded by the Junta de Andalucía (the Andalusian regional government) and the Asociación Amigos de la ROSS (the Royal Seville Symphony Orchestra Fellowship). In 2017, she was named as the tenured harp lecturer for the Master’s degree in Soloist Performance, speciality: Harp Studies at the KATARINA GURSKA Centre for Higher Musical Education, Madrid.Since 2002, Daniela has led an intensely active career as a soloist and also in chamber music duos with María Antonia Rodríguez, flute soloist in the RTVE Symphony Orchestra. In 2004, in conjunction with Don José Enrique Ayarra, Seville Cathedral’s principal organist, Daniela performed a concert of 19th and 20th century music with an electroacoustic harp in the aforementioned cathedral. This repertoire had never before been performed with this type of harp. For the occasion, the instrument was loaned by the Victor Salvi Foundation.Composers such as Antonio Noguera, Esteban Sanz Vélez, Julio Lozano, Martín Zalba, Luis Ignacio Marín and Gualberto García have dedicated works to her.Daniela has recorded with many different record labels for Bulgarian, Russian, Spanish and Italian national radio and television broadcasters. She frequently performs in recitals, chamber ensembles in Europe, the USA, Russia and Asia. Furthermore, she performs with highly prestigious orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (London), the Symphony Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, the State Orchestra of St. Petersburg, the Symphony Orchestra of India, the Gürzenich Orchester Köln and the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville, working with conductors such as Maazel, Muti, Jansons, Lazarev, Rostropovich, Plasson, etc. In addition, Daniela frequently performs at festivals, for instance: the Santander International Festival, International Harp Festival “Northern Lyre”, Mariinsky Theatre, the Festival of Granada, Clásicos en Verano and the Festival Dei Due Mondi – Spoleto…

Borislava Taneva, piano
Borislava Taneva is a pianist-performer, a composer, a pedagogue, a chamber musician, an organiser of musical events. Her active participation in the contemporary cultural life in Bulgaria and abroad defines her as a successful, multispectral musician.
She was born in Sofia in the family of distinguished musicians and started her musical education at a very early age. She completed her master’s degree in piano and composition at the National Music Academy “Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia. There are some other world famous professors like Jacob Lateiner,Germaine Mounier, Vera Gornostaeva and Ludwig Hoffmann who also played a role in her development as a performer. Borislava Taneva has been a laureate of national and international piano, chamber music and composition competitions in Bulgaria, Italy, Japan, Greece, etc. She has performed multiple recitals in Bulgaria, Greece, Germany, Italy, Brasil, Switzerland, Lithuania, Israel, France, Norway, Macedonia, Spain, etc. After her graduation Borislava Taneva started work as an assistant professor in the Piano Department of the Performance Faculty of the National Music Academy /NMA/ in Sofia. Currently she is a piano and pedagogical practice professor at NMA in Sofia and vice rector of the Academy.
In 2012 a Doctor's degree (PHD) was conferred on Borislava Taneva. For several years she had great success, teaching Interpretation of Contemporary Music in Athens.She gives masterclasses and delivers seminars on various topics at music colleges and academies in Greece, Swiss, France, USA, Luxembourg, Brasil, Spain, USA, Singapore, Norway, Italy etc. Prof. Taneva has appeared as a jury member in many national and international piano competitions in Greece, France, Vienna, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Serbia etc. Her students have been awarded with numerous of prizes from national and international forums and competitions. She is the author of several opuses of piano pieces for beginners, edited by MUSICA FERRUM in London. She is the founder and a member of the Swiss-Bulgarian Association of Culture – SBAC, based in Geneva. B. Taneva was awarded with special prizes for her contribution to Bulgarian culture.

Mikhail Vorotnoy, piano
Honored Higher Professional Education Worker of the Russian Federation.
Professor, Doctor PhD, a Laureate of international competitions.
He has terminated the St.-Petersburg state conservatory (Academy) "N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov" with Honours (1994) and postgraduate course in that place (1996).
He is Professor of piano of Music College of the Herzen University (SPb) since 1994, since 2004 - a deputy of the Director of Music, Theatre & Choreography College on concert-creative activity. He is a visiting professor of the North University of Iowa (USA, 2010/2011); The Huanggang Normal University (China, 2017/2018)
For years art working has appeared in 450 concertos more then as soloist (including - with orchestra), accompanist, organist at concert halls of Saint Petersburg not only, but also the other city’s to Russia, as well as overseas (the USA, China, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus). He is member of jury of different competitions and festivals. He had the master-classes to USA, China, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus.
He was the First performer of the row of the compositions Petersburg, England and American composers. He is dedicated to three opuses. He has a records on TV, radio, as well as on CD.
He leads active scientific activity. He is the Editor-compiler several collection scientific works. He appeared with report at any international scientifically-practical conferences. He is the author of the monograph, textbooks, number scientific articles, editor of music-scores.
He has prepared 40 students – Laureates and Diplomantes of international and All-Russian music competitions and festivals.
«Mikhail Vorotnoy … is a very good musician, who has original conception of a beautiful performance and sublime touch. He also has a bright and balanced sound».
(pianist Shura Cherkassky, 1991)

Maia Sepp, piano
Maia Sepp was born in 1985 in Tallinn (Estonia). She received her first piano lessons at the music school for gifted children «K. Baisseitow» in Almaty, Kazakhstan in the class of T.Abilchairova. 2003 she graduated this school with the distinction under the direction of famous pianist Prof. Gulzhamilya Kadyrbekova, who had a great influence on the formation of pianist’s personality. At the age of eight, she gave her first public concert, the first concert of Ludwig van Beethoven, with the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 1999 she was the youngest participant at the International Mozart Competition in Salzburg and the 3rd prizewinner at the International Piano Competition in Naples. The following year she reached the finals of the International Piano Competition in Jurmala (Latvia) and in 2002 attended the International Bach Piano Competition in Leipzig. She is also prizewinner of the annual Festival of the President Nursultan Nazarbaevs Education Foundation.
From 2003 to 2008 she studied at the Moscow State Conservatory named after Tchaikowsky, where she graduated with honors in the class of Prof. A.Mndoyants. Since 2010 she has continued her musical education at the master's degree with famous pianist Prof. Dr. h.c. Kalle Randalu at the Academy of Music in Karlsruhe (Germany). In 2012 she graduated her master degree with honors and in 2015 - her soloist studies with honors.
In 2009 Maia Sepp was the 1st Prizewinner at the 3rd International Piano Competition in Wien (Austria) and the semi-finalist of the 5th International Piano Competition in Lyon. In 2013 she was the 1st Prizewinner at the International Wolfgang-Rihm-Competition in Karlsruhe (Germany) and at the International Piano Competition Concours Musical de France in Paris. In 2017 she was the 2nd Prizewinner at the XVIII International Maria Yudina Piano Competition in Saint Petersburg (Russia). In 2018 she was 4th Prizewinner at the V Tatjana Gaydamovich Chamber Music Competition in Magnitogorsk (Russia).
Maia Sepp leads an active concert career and performed in Moskau (Rubinstein Museum, P. Slobodkin’s concert hall, Rachmaninov Hall), in Tallinn (Estland), in Kasachstan (Almaty, Astana, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Karaganda), in France (Paris, Wissembourg), in Germany (Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden, Stuttgart, Ettlingen), in Italy (Finale Ligure). She performed with such orchestras as the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana Symphony Orchestra, Latvian Chamber Orchestra, Karlsruhe Chamber Orchestra, Baden-Baden Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.
In 2015 Maia Sepp won a prestigious scholarship from the Cultural Foundation of Baden-Württemberg (Germany). The grant supports promising young artists. In 2015 Maia Sepp recorded her first solo CD with Sonate B-Dur D960 of Schubert and “Davidsbündlertänze” of Schumann at the record company “Hofa” in Germany. Since 2016 she is a soloist at the Kazakh State Zhambyl Philharmonic and piano teacher at the Piano department of Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory.

Darinka Todorov, piano
I work as a pianist, professor, accompanist and chamber musician, performing mostly classical music. As a piano professor I work almost 37 years at music school "Stanislav Binički" - Belgrade.
During a long career, as chamber musician, I cooperated with musicians from Sweden, Finland, Serbia etc. On International piano competition in Novi Sad (Serbia), and other domestic competitions I was a jury member. In National theatre - Belgrade I was working on opera "Salome" and cooperating with German conductor Johanes Harneit. For about 15 years, Svetozar Vujic - double bass, and I perform and play together, as a chamber duo "DiS". Among other concerts, we had recitals in Belgrade -Serbia, on BASS CONGRES 2016. - PRAGUE, BASS CONGRES 2018. - LUCCA - ITALY, at ISB Convention 2019. - Bloomington - USA. Our most recent concert was at 10.03.2021. - Historical musem - Belgrade - online streaming.

Jasna Đurović, piano
Jasna Đurović, Bosnia and Herzegovina/Serbia, (1974) was born in Banja Luka, where she completed primary music education in Banja Luka(music school “Vlado Milosevic”) in the class of prof. Branka Kuzmanović, and secondary music school in Zemun (Serbia) in the music school "Kosta Manojlović", in the class of prof. Tanja Jablanović. She graduated from the Academy of Arts in Banja Luka 2002, in the class of prof. Nevena Popović. She was a scholarship holder of the "Petar Kočić" Fund, which is awarded to students with the highest grade point average. She performed as a soloist in chamber ensembles during her studies. She held a solo concert at the National Theater of Republika Srpska (2002), as well as a concert of the piano duo with her colleague Dijana Zrnić in the Banski dvor City Hall in 1999. During her studies, she recorded works by Edvard Grieg and Sergei Rachmaninoff for the needs of the Radio Television of Republika Srpska. She is a semifinalist of the International piano competition Grand Concerteum in Athens in 2000 in the discipline of piano duo. However, she shows the greatest affinities for piano pedagogy, as evidenced by the numerous successes of her students, both in the country and abroad. She was also a member of the jury at many piano competitions in Serbia (Sabac, Belgrade, Kragujevac, Smederevo) and Bosnia and Herzegovina( Bijeljina, Banja Luka,Sarajevo,Brcko District, Prijedor). Her students were awarded by the home school "Vlado Milosevic" as the most successful.She trained at numerous master classes with eminent piano pedagogues and pianists such as Nevena Popović, Aleksandar Serdar, Nataša Veljković, Maria Nemcova, Vladimir Milošević, Arbo Valdma . She also worked as a demonstrator accompanist at the Academy of Arts, Department of Dramatic Arts. She also collaborated with the National Theater of Republika Srpska in the play "How to make your master laugh", directed by our famous director Kokan Mladenović, where she played musicians permeated the entire play.She is the co-founder and the idea holder of the first piano competition in BiH, the "Banja Luka Biennale". She held a master piano course for students of the elementary school "Marcos Portugal" in Doboj in 2006. as well as the music workshop "Viva la musica", for students of primary and secondary music schools, 2019, 2020,2021, 2022 and 2023. which was supported by the Cultural Center Banski dvor. She has 29 years of work experience in piano pedagogy behind her. She collaborates with the many pianists and piano artists.She held a piano duo recital She returned to the music scene with a solo performance at the concert of the professor of the music school "Vlado Milosevic" in December 2020. She also performed as a guest at the concert of pianist Borko Milojković in Belgrade, in the Artget Gallery of the Cultural Center Belgrade, where she performed with him in a piano duo. She was a guest on Radio Television of Republika Srpska, ELTA TV and Alternative Television. She held a piano duo recital with her colegue Borko Milojković at the Cultural center Banski dvor in Banja Luka (2021) .Her new currently piano duo anssamble is with respectable pianist and piano professor Marija Godjevac from Belgrade. The goal of her work is to nurture and direct young talents and promising young artists to engage in art music and to preserve its traditional values through public performances, concerts, piano competitions. Recently, she is active in the field of concert activities. She is currently employed at a music school "Vlado Milošević"in Banja Luka( Bosnia and Herzegovina) as a piano and chamber music professor in primary and secondary music school.

Violet Wong, piano
Violet Wong, the music creative, as a pianist, trumpet player and teacher. Violet started playing the classical piano at 6 and she has been teaching different aged groups of students, she has extensive experience in teaching for over ten years, specialising in children and teenagers. Her students were awarded different competitions such as Hong Kong Music Festivals and Hong Kong Youth International Youth Performance Art Festivals. and recently, her students won the Second place and awarded distinction in Bristol Festival of Music, Drama and Speech 2023.
Ten years ago, Violet started her music career after being awarded the Talent Development Scholarship by HKSAR. Over these years, she achieved herself both teaching and performing. She attained Trinity ATCL Piano in the same year. Since 2014, Violet has served as a trumpet player in the Hong Kong Civil Aid Service (Band Company) and is well-trained in marching music. She has performed at different official functions including Officer Mess Dinners, New Recruit Passing Out Ceremonies etc. She was awarded the "Best Progress Member of the Year" and Commander's Commendation twice respectively. In 2017 and 2019, she sought guidance from Alexandr Smutny, a renowned trumpet player from the Czech Republic, further enhancing her skills. Since 2017, Violet has engaged in performances and collaborations with local musicians in Hong Kong. One notable experience was her participation in the Annual Dinners of the Federation of Australian Alumni Association, leaving a lasting impression on her. Apart from music performance, she also experienced making her music in videos and recording as film production.
In 2020, Violet's music journey took her from Hong Kong to London and Bristol. She provided piano accompaniment for choirs at St. Martin in the Fields and St. Mary Woodford, respectively. She also contributed her talents to brass bands such as the South London Wind Ensemble, the University of Bristol Brass Band (2021/2022), and the Long Ashton Orchestra. Notably, she participated in Unibrass 2022 in Sheffield. In the same year, she achieved Merit in the exam by herself.
Last year, while continuing her teaching and performing career, Violet embarked on her MA in Music Performance at Bath Spa University. During this time, she participated in Sparkfest 2023, a funded project by the school which was titled “Impressions and Expression: La Cathedrale Engloutie”. This unique underwater filming project marked Violet's first professional music endeavour. Together with ideas of music visualisation and Debussy's music ideas, She rearranged the music with different percussion instruments , infusing it with her inspiration. It is possible that her musical creations will receive recognition at upcoming film festivals. In the coming days , she aims to continue her education career and perform her advanced standard of piano and trumpet together in different countries.

Antonia Daskalova, piano
Antonia Daskalova is an internationally recognized concert pianist and collaborative artist,
honored as a KAWAI Artist for her exceptional artistry and contribution to piano performance.
She holds a doctorate in collaborative piano and is known for her emotionally powerful
interpretations and technical finesse across solo, chamber, and vocal repertoire.
Her performances span major venues in Europe and the United States, and her work as an
educator and content creator bridges classical tradition with contemporary insight. Antonia
produces high-quality digital content focused on piano technique, performance psychology,
and musical storytelling, reaching thousands through platforms like YouTube.
She is officially featured by KAWAI on their international artist roster:
n KAWAI Artist Profile – Antonia Daskalova
From the concert stage to the recording studio and beyond, Dr. Daskalova continues to
inspire audiences and students with depth, clarity, and vision.

Corina Mocanu, piano
I am a full senior teacher (Teaching Degree I) within the Main Piano Department of the “George Enescu” National College of Music in Bucharest, a prestigious institution dedicated to excellence in musical education. I completed my studies at the National University of Music in Bucharest, where I developed both my artistic and pedagogical path under the guidance of distinguished mentors.
Throughout my career, I have performed as a soloist and chamber musician in renowned concert venues, including the Romanian National Opera, the “Ion Dacian” National Operetta and Musical Theatre, the ACT Theatre, as well as within the prestigious “George Enescu” International Festival. My collaboration with the CaMMerata Orchestra has provided a valuable framework for cultivating musical expressivity and artistic dialogue.
As a teacher, I believe that excellence is built through dedication, vision, and an individualized pedagogical approach tailored to each student. Over the years, my students have obtained numerous national and international awards; yet beyond prizes, they have had the opportunity to perform on emblematic stages of the global musical landscape. Among the most notable achievements are invitations to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, Orbetello (Italy), the “Sergey Rachmaninov” Conservatory in Paris, as well as within the Rovere d’Oro Competition in Italy. Additionally, several young pianists trained under my guidance have been invited to perform with the Philharmonic Orchestras of Râmnicu Vâlcea, Brașov, Pitești, and Bacău.
Alongside my teaching and performing activity, I am actively involved in the Romanian musical community as a member of juries in major national competitions, thereby contributing to the promotion of excellence in music education and the support of emerging artistic talent.

Mgr. Dana Ščasná, DiS.art, accordion
Accordionist and accordion teacher, Mgr. Dana Ščasná, DiS.art, was born in Slovakia. At the age of seven, she started attending the Basic Art School. After her graduation, she entered the Conservatory in Košice, where she devoted herself to playing the button accordion. During her studies, she was a member of the prestigious accordion orchestra, with which they became famous in Cyprus, Finland, Poland, Castelfidardo and other countries. She later completed university studies in playing the accordion, majoring in Church music and music teaching.
He has been teaching keyboard and button accordion for 25 years at the Ján Melkovič Elementary School of Art in Stará Ľubovna and at the Jan Nepomucký church school. All the while, he regularly prepares pupils for Slovak and foreign concerts, shows, recitals. Her students regularly participate in online and live international competitions, where they win top prizes. As winners, they participated in gala concerts of international competitions in Trophea, New York - DiMenna center for Classic music and in the Berlin Philharmonic.
Together with their students, they participated in the following competitions/concerts:
- Australian International Accordion Championship,Sydney,2021 – Silver Award
- 7th International Accordion daysin Prague 2021 – Silver Awards
- XIX. International Festival Accordeon – EUROMESETTE & GOLDEN TANGO 2021,Slovakia – Gold Awards
5th year of the all-Slovak accordion competition show, Association of Accordionists of Slovakia 2021 – Silver awards
- Czech Accordion online competition – Ostrava 2021- Silver awards
- VI. Tokyo International Music Competition „ Melos APS“ 111.proze,2022
- Nouvelles Étoiles – Praris – Laureat 2 prix,2022
- Kyjev- New York Constellatione Power of Music – 1 Prize,2022
- Israel- International Virtul Music „ Gates of Hope“ - Laureate 1 degree ,2022
- British College of Accordionists- Bronze Award, 2022
- Geneva –VI.International Music Competition „ Melos APS“ III.Prize,2022
- Internationa of Participation Manahttan- Diploma, 2022
- London Classical Music Competition- -Second Prize, 2022
- YIMC- absolute winner in the accordion category, 2022
- Amadeus International Music awards Salzburg – Silver Prize, 2022
- Prague - Competition music festival - Silver in the 3rd category, 2022
- London Classical Music Competition- -Second Prize, 2023
- Nouvelles Étoiles – Praris – Laureat 2 Prize. 2023,2024
- Birmingham.International Competition – Second Prize, 2023
- Euterpe Music Awards – Berlin – Gold Prize, 2023
- 7th annual accordion show of art schools-ASPUS-Slovakia., Silver, 2023
- XXI.. International Festival Accordeon – EUROMESETTE & GOLDEN TANGO 2023,Slovakia, Silver
- As an absolute winer in his category, he took part in the winer concert in New York on September 3, 2023
- Musicarte Festival and Competition 2024 Italia – 1. absolut prize
- Virtuoso Intenational Music awards ( VIMA) 2024 Londyn – Silver prize
Her students as an absolute winers in his category, he took part in the winer concert in New York on September 3, 2023,2024.
There was also a report on local TV about her achievements as a teacher and her students.

Dušan Đorđevic, accordion
Dušan Đorđevic was born in Zaječar (Serbia) in 1992. He began primary music education in his hometown in the class of prof. Jelena Srbinoska. Already at the beginning of his music school education, he showed great love for music, which resulted with his participation in many international and national competitions. After finishing primary school, he continued his music education in high music school "Dr. Miloje Milojević" in Kragujevac, the class of prof. Dušan Vučković. He completed his undergraduate and masters studies at the Faculty of Philology and Arts in Kragujevac, in the class of prof. Predrag Kostovic. He is currently studying a master's of chamber music at the Faculty of Philology and Arts in the class of prof. Borislav Čičovački.
He participated many festivals and competitions in the country and abroad, among which are:
Accordion art (Sarajevo) 2010 - First prize
Star Trek (Kragujevac) 2009 - First prize
Accordion Days (Smederevo) 2007,2009 - First prize
Meh fest (Belgrade) 2015 - First prize
Kligenthal (Germany) 2015 – 8th place
With the chamber ensemble, he was the laureate of the competition "Donne in musica" in Kragujevac, 2014.
He played in the accordion orchestra and in Kragujevac. He performed the world premiere of Fiver Haiku for accordion flute and cello, composed by Vladimir Trmcic with chamber ensembles at SANU gallery in 2014, Belgrade.
As a soloist and with the chamber ensemble Sagum Rubrum duo, he performed in many cities in Serbia and abroad, including performances in Linz, Vienna (Austria), Detmold, Lemgo (Germany), Turn Severin (Romania), Doboj (BiH).
He participated in the 59th March Days of Music Festival in Ruse (Bulgaria), and the concert was recorded by the National Radio of Bulgaria.
He has attended numerous seminars with eminent professors from abroad:
Krasimir Šterev (Munich), Yuri Šiškin (Rostov-on-Don),
Markus Kohler (Detmold), Raimondas Svickevičius and Eduardo Gabins (Lithuania).

Safak Eriskin, cello
Born in Istanbul in 1971, Safak Eriskin started her first music lessons at Turkish Radio and Television’s
Children Choir when she was only 7. After graduating from the Violoncello department of Mimar
Sinan University State Conservatoire Istanbul as a student of Prof. Resit Erzin at 1991, she attended to
the master-classes of M. Rostropovic, A. Rudin, D. Shafran, M. Maisky and N. Gutman. During her
master’s program at Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul in the fields of ‘Aesthetics, Philosophy, 19th
Century Art History, Cello, Pre-School Cello Education, in 1994 as a member of Istanbul Quartett, she
was accepted with full scholarship into four years of ‘Quartett Perfection’ programmes of Accademia
Musicale Chigiana and Scuola di Musica di Fiesole-Firenze by Maestro Piero Farulli (the founder of
famous Italian Quartett) and she was awarded to ‘Honorary Diploma’ from both of these instutitions
in 1997. She received various degrees with Istanbul Quartett by attending to the competitions in
Cremona Quartet, Florence V. GUI and Moscow Schostakovitch. During her education and after, she
attended to many concerts in whole Italy, Europe, United States, Russia and Middle East. She also had
the opportunity of working with famous cellist of Borodin Quartett, Valentin Berlinsky in Moscow and
with the Takacs Quartett in Denver, Colorado University in perfection programme . She released a Cd
in 1997 consisting works of J. Brahms for the occasion of Brahms Year. Performed Chamber Music
concerts with distinguished artists such as Idil Biret, Peter Jablonski, Steven Kovacevic, Huseyin
Sermet. She arranged Tchaikovsky’s Love Songs and recorded it with Bass Ayhan Baran and Pianist
Judith Ulug in 2006. Attended to various dance and music festivals in Netherlands, Germany and
Spain as guest artist. Having the Professional Coaching Certificate approved from International
Coaching Federation ‘ICF’, Eriskin worked with professional musicians in the fields of ; Stage, Artist,
Career, Performance, Stage Psychology and Artistic Development. She also coached young orchestra
musicians at the National Youth Orchestra of Turkey.
Besides her solo cello post at the State Opera and Ballet Orchestra now in Istanbul, Safak Eriskin was
the Principal Cellist of Akbank Chamber Orchestra for 12 years, also the principal cellist of Borusan
Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra until season 2017 which is the first Turkish Orchestra being invited to
BBC Prom’s in London. As well as her individual concerts and trainings, she is currently Cello teacher
in BAU Conservatuary in İstanbul and member of Cello Paradiso Quartet and BAU Trio.

Dmitry Mikhailov, violoncello
Freelance cellist, founder and artistic director of the Savshinsky
International Music Competition (St. Petersburg, Russia) and the
Stockholm International Music Competition — SIMC (Stockholm,
Sweden)
Dmitry Mikhaylov was born in 1978 to a family of musicians from St.
Petersburg. He began studying music at the age of five and graduated from
Children's Music School No. 26 (cello class under Natalia Tolbukhina). In
1999, he graduated from the Mussorgsky College of Music (cello class by
Lev Fishkov and symphony conducting class by Lev Savich). In 2004, he
graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he studied with
People's Artist of Russia, professor Sergey Roldugin.
Since the mid-1990s, he has been actively pursuing chamber music with
his father, pianist Ivan Mikhaylov, a professor at the St. Petersburg
Conservatory, as well as with his students and colleagues. He regularly
performs at the city's finest concert venues, including the Philharmonia,
the Conservatory, the State Capella, and others.
From 1999 to 2007, he worked as an artist, then as second solo cellist of
the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra. From 2007 to 2014, he was
an artist with the St. Petersburg Governor's Orchestra (formerly the
Leningrad Radio Orchestra) then directed by People's Artist of Russia
Stanislav Gorkovenko. Dmitry has toured extensively in Russia and abroad
with these orchestras, and has also performed extensively with ensemble
programs in various styles, not only as an artist but also as an organizer of
cultural and educational concerts for Russian youth.
He became a laureate of several international competitions.
In 2009, Dmitry Mikhaylov founded the International Competition for
Young Musicians in St. Petersburg, named after the outstanding pianist
and teacher Samariy Savshinsky. Since then, it has been held annually
under his direction, and since 2021, it has been held in two formats — live
and online.
In the spring of 2010, he organized the Stockholm International Music
Competition (SIMC) — the only international music competition of its
kind in Sweden, combining professional focus and excellence with a
democratic approach and accessibility for children of all skill levels.
Simultaneously, as part of the competition, Dmitry organized and hosted
the International Scientific and Practical Conference, "Innovations in the
Music Education System at the Secondary Level," designed to expand the
boundaries of collaboration and exchange of experience between Russian
and international music educators, as well as to foster more intensive and
fruitful communication between professors from higher education
institutions and teachers from regional music schools.
The competitions founded by Dmitry Mikhaylov have become firmly
established in the musical life of St. Petersburg and Stockholm and have
become popular among a wide range of musicians worldwide.
For several years, Dmitry regularly taught cello masterclasses at
international seminars at the invitation of Klaipeda University (Lithuania).
He also conducted masterclasses in Sweden and served on the jury of
international competitions in Lithuania and Germany.
