MELANIE krueger
Soprano
Recognized for her expressive, lyric tone, and thrilling high notes, Canadian soprano Melanie Krueger embraces an extraordinarily wide range of repertoire, from Britten and Berg to Mozart and Monteverdi.
Melanie maintains a thriving performance schedule, which has taken her from Canada to Europe. Melanie has joined the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Bach Choir in Handel’s Messiah as well as Mahler’s Symphony #8. Operatic engagements in recent seasons have included the role of the Handmaiden in Vancouver Opera’s production of Turandot.
Highlights from her career include: Stravinsky’s Les Noces with Maestro Les Dala, Lillian, in John Estacios’ Lillian Alling at the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, Abigail Williams in the Czech premier of Ward’s “The Crucible”, Fortuna in Monteverdi’s Il Ritorno D’Ulisse in Patria at Teatro Massimo’s Festival Scarlatti, Sandrina in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera at the Prague Estate Theatre, Atalanta in Handel’s Xerxes with the Prague Chamber Opera, Musetta in Puccini’s La Boheme and The Vixen in Janacek’s Cunning Little Vixen with the Usti nad Labem Opera House.
Past operatic roles with the Vancouver opera include Eliza from Muhly’s Dark Sisters, Miss Wordsworth from Britten’s Albert Herring, “The Celestial Voice” from Verdi’s Don Carlos, the Valedictorian in the world premier of Weisensel’s Stickboy, Anina in Verdi’s La Traviata, directed by Sir Jonathan Miller as well as Isabel in the company’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance.
Melanie holds a masters degree in voice performance from the University of British Columbia, a bachelor of music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Education degree from Memorial University. www.melaniekrueger.com
elena razlog
Mezzo soprano
Elena Razlog brings passion to operatic repertoire ranging from creation of traditionally classic roles to interpretation of contemporary pieces. Her operatic appearances include the roles of: Olga, “Eugene Onegin”, conducted by Maestro David Agler; Cornelia, “Giulio Cesare”; Flora, “La Traviata”; Barbara, “Eine Nacht in Venedig” (UBC Opera); Ulrica, “Un Ballo in Maschera” (Opera Mariposa); Marcellina, “Le Nozze di Figaro" (Opera in Concert); Amy, “Choir Practice” by S. Chatman, world-premiered and broadcast by CBC (UBC Opera).
Elena is equally at home in both, opera and concert settings. Highlights of her performances include concerts in collaboration with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, UBC Symphony Orchestra (Canada), Plzen Opera Orchestra and Karlovy Vary Opera Orchestra (Czech) and other. Elena is a re-invited soloist with the State Rostropovich Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Maestro Alexander Skulsky (Russia).
Elena performed in the New York Lyric Opera Gala that takes place each year in the acclaimed Carnegie Hall, featuring emerging professionals from around the world. Other highlights of her concert performances include the “Gypsy Dances” Concert with the UBC Symphony Orchestra dedicated to works of E. Kalman and broadcasted live by CBC (Canadian Radio & Television Broadcast). Elena performed in the acclaimed “Tea & Trumpet Concert” with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra traditionally done each year at the Orpheum, a heritage theatre in the heart of Vancouver.
Elena is a mezzo-soprano at Vancouver Opera. She is an engaged performer at Vancouver Opera Festivals and was part of and the host of the concerts dedicated to works of Anna Akhmatova (Vancouver Opera “White Nights Festival”, 2018). Elena performed “Opera, Fairy Tales and Magic!” concerts partnering with VO soprano, Melanie Krueger and pianist, Tina Chang, as part of 2019 Vancouver Opera Festival.
Elena holds Master’s Degree from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (M.MUS in Opera), as well as Diploma in Voice Performance (UBC). She earned her B.A. in Linguistics and International Relations at the State University of N. Novgorod (Russia), as well as Diploma in Music Education (major in Choir Conducting) from the same university. Elena is a finalist in the regionals of the “Young Voices of Russia” National Competition. As part of the exchanged program, Elena studied voice at the University of Oregon School of Music (USA). She is a recipient of the “Up With People” stipend (USA), to perform in the musical “The Roads”, a production by the Broadway Theatre, NY, that toured for a year throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. For further details please visit Elena's website at https://www.elenarazlog.com/
stanislav galimkhanov
Classic Dancer
Stanislav Galimkhanov graduated from the Rudolf Nureev Bashkir Ballet Academy in the city of Ufa, Russia, as an Artist of the Ballet and Folk Dance Ensemble, holding a degree in Choreographic Art. After graduation, Stanislav began his dance career at professional dance ensembles. Over the next few years, Stanislav as part of the renowned State Academic Gaskarov Ensemble, toured throughout Russia, Turkey, Italy, Germany, France and England.
After immigrating to Canada, Stanislav continues his career as a dancer - performing and actively participating in cultural events in the city of Vancouver. In 2010, Stanislav was invited to perform at the Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Stanislav performed as a soloist in the Goh Ballet production of "The Nutcracker" for a number of seasons. Later, he entered the Royal Ballet Academy in London, England. There, after completing a training, he received a Professional Dance Teacher Diploma, according to the method of the English Royal Ballet Academy.
Stanislav performed a solo role of Matador in UBC Opera production of "La Traviata". He also choreographed and staged the dance component of that production working with soloists and chorus.
Subsequently, Stanislav continues to perform on the stages of the city of Vancouver, and also works as a teacher of classical dance, choreographer in various dance schools. In 2020 Stanislav became one of the professionals invited to the project: "Dance around the World". The result of which is the short film "SONO CON TE" ("I am with you").
Stanislav opened his own dance school for children. With talented kids he created a dance ensemble "Altyn Folk Dance Group". The dance ensemble has been successfully performing at various festivals, concerts and shows throughout the Lower Mainland.
irina konstantinova
Piano
Irina has a 17-years’ experience in music education working as a piano teacher at the State Moscow Conservatory, as well as Moscow Music College, earning her degree in Music Pedagogy majoring in piano performance from the State University of Moscow, Russia.
Irina has an intense experience working as a piano teacher in a number of music academies in Moscow. While teaching piano at various music educational institutions, she accompanied many choirs, string and wind instrumental orchestras at the City, Federal Competitions and concerts throughout the cities of the Russian Federation.
Irina is a recipient of the Moscow Government Award for her multiple contributions to Art and Children’s Education.
While living in Vancouver, Irina resumed her work as a pianist and accompanist at concerts and festivals. She is an active contributor at various cultural events in the cities of the Lower Mainland.