Meet the Artists
Iryna Vokhmyanina - piano (Ukraine)
Iryna Vokhmyanina obtained Masters Degree from Moscow State Pedagogical University with the specialisation Pedagogue of Music (piano). After completing postgraduate studies, she has got PhD with the specialisation Theory and Methodology of Professional Education (Music). Since then, Iryna combines teaching and performance career. She is a laureate of several international music competitions and often performs chamber music recitals. Dr Vokhmyanina taught piano pedagogy at several colleges and universities in Ukraine and Russia, and frequently appeared with her publications at educational conferences. For many years, Dr Vokhmyanina held position as a Piano Professor of the Department of Music Performing Arts at Kharkiv National Pedagogical University (Ukraine).
Iryna's professional teaching experience is more than 30 years. Currently Dr. Vokhmyanina teaches piano, accompaniment class, and chamber music in Singapore. Her students became winners of several international music competitions in Russia, Ukraine, UK, Thailand, Indonesia, USA, Australia and Singapore; were successfully accepted to various music educational establishments all over the world. Recently she was invited to conduct piano masterclasses in Music Summer Academy (Olbia, Italy), Kurozwenki Music Summer Academy (Poland), and Singapore Raffles International Music Festival. Also, she was a member of the jury at the international music competitions and festivals in “Thailand Chopin Piano Competition” (Bangkok, Thailand), 3rd Singapore Steinway Youth Piano Competition (Singapore); Project Coordinator of lectures-concerts “Mozart’s effect” at Kharkiv Philharmonic Society (Ukraine, 2009–2013), Founder and Artistic Director of the project “Symphony of Motherhood” in Singapore since 2012 up to date as well as Founding Member and Director of Outreach Programs in “Chamber Music Society of Singapore” since 2015 till now.
Iryna's professional teaching experience is more than 30 years. Currently Dr. Vokhmyanina teaches piano, accompaniment class, and chamber music in Singapore. Her students became winners of several international music competitions in Russia, Ukraine, UK, Thailand, Indonesia, USA, Australia and Singapore; were successfully accepted to various music educational establishments all over the world. Recently she was invited to conduct piano masterclasses in Music Summer Academy (Olbia, Italy), Kurozwenki Music Summer Academy (Poland), and Singapore Raffles International Music Festival. Also, she was a member of the jury at the international music competitions and festivals in “Thailand Chopin Piano Competition” (Bangkok, Thailand), 3rd Singapore Steinway Youth Piano Competition (Singapore); Project Coordinator of lectures-concerts “Mozart’s effect” at Kharkiv Philharmonic Society (Ukraine, 2009–2013), Founder and Artistic Director of the project “Symphony of Motherhood” in Singapore since 2012 up to date as well as Founding Member and Director of Outreach Programs in “Chamber Music Society of Singapore” since 2015 till now.
Roberto Álvarez - flute (Spain)
Diversity of styles is a hallmark of multi-awarded Roberto’s concerts and recitals. Always looking for new sonorities for the flute, Roberto has performed the music of his region, Asturias, all over the World. His passion for new music has led him to perform World Premieres very often in his recitals and recordings.
In addition to his performances he is an enthusiastic flute teacher, having given masterclasses in Youth Orchestras and several conservatories and festivals. He currently teaches at the School of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, in Singapore and at the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, in Thailand.
Roberto is the Solo Piccolo at the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since July 2007.
In addition to his performances he is an enthusiastic flute teacher, having given masterclasses in Youth Orchestras and several conservatories and festivals. He currently teaches at the School of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, in Singapore and at the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, in Thailand.
Roberto is the Solo Piccolo at the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since July 2007.
Joyce Lee Tung - Soprano (Singapore)
Joyce Lee Tung started studying voice under the tutelage of Lim Shieh Yih. She went on to Austria to pursue her studies in classical voice and graduated with Master of Arts in Voice (Distinction) under KS Joanna Borowska-Isser and Masters in Concert Singing (Distinction) – Lied Interpretation under Christine Whittlesey and Oratorio Studies under Robert Heimann from the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria.
Her notable concert appearances include Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore with Boston University Concert Choir, Michael Haydn’s Missa in honorem Sancti Dominici with AIMS Festival Orchestra, the premiere of Americ Goh’s … de l’âme at the Annual Conference of the Austrian Society of Musicology concert (2015) and the premiere of Americ Goh’s Kassation in m at the 2nd Austrian-Singaporean Science and Business Day held in Vienna. She was heard on several occasions on the Austrian radio Ö1 with music ranging from the early to new music repertory, including the premiere of Americ Goh’s Discord in Childhood. She has also appeared on Slovenian Radio, accompanied by the Maribor Opera and Ballet Orchestra.
She sang the roles 1. Knabe in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Sandmännchen in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel and was understudy for the roles of Corilla and Luigia in Donizetti’s Viva la mamma. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Music Aesthetics and Early Music departments at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, she sang the solo Dessus 1 in Charpentier’s Te Deum with early music ensemble. In 2018, she was finalist (4th Place) in The 4th International Singing Competition: The Alida Vane Award, Ventspils, Latvia; and won 2nd Place (1st Prize) in the 2nd International Singing Competition, Maribor, Slovenia.
Joyce is a founding member of the Singapore-based collective The Art Song Consortium.
Kseniia Vokhmianina - piano (Ukraine)
Hailed as “the most prominent Ukrainian musician in Singapore” Kseniia extensively performs as a piano recitalist, concerto soloist, and chamber musician on various concert stages in Europe and Asia. She was a recipient of the prestigious Lee Foundation Scholarship and the Tuition Grant from the Ministry of Education of Singapore to attain the Diploma in Music Performance course at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Singapore), and was awarded the “Best Graduate” upon successful completion of the degree course at Royal College of Music (UK).
Being a prizewinner of international piano competitions held in France, Australia, Poland, Italy, Serbia, Malaysia and Singapore, Ms Vokhmianina’s most recent performance were at Esplanade Recital Studio (Singapore), Concert Hall of Ho Chi Minh City National Conservatory of Music (Vietnam), Concert Hall of AUGB (UK), Seoul Arts Centre (South Korea), Sydney Eisteddfod (Australia), Georgetown Festival (Malaysia), recital at the opening of the 1st Chopin International Competition (Thailand), and at the Auditorium Olivier Messiaen of the Conservatoire of Cergy-Pontoise (France). Besides her international career, Ms Vokhmianina is member of the Faculty of Music at School of The Arts (Singapore).
Being a prizewinner of international piano competitions held in France, Australia, Poland, Italy, Serbia, Malaysia and Singapore, Ms Vokhmianina’s most recent performance were at Esplanade Recital Studio (Singapore), Concert Hall of Ho Chi Minh City National Conservatory of Music (Vietnam), Concert Hall of AUGB (UK), Seoul Arts Centre (South Korea), Sydney Eisteddfod (Australia), Georgetown Festival (Malaysia), recital at the opening of the 1st Chopin International Competition (Thailand), and at the Auditorium Olivier Messiaen of the Conservatoire of Cergy-Pontoise (France). Besides her international career, Ms Vokhmianina is member of the Faculty of Music at School of The Arts (Singapore).
Ani Umedyan - violin (Armenia)
Armenian violinist Ani Umedyan has been living in Singapore since 2008. Alumni of Yerevan State Conservatory, Ani has been a wanted guest of some notorious festivals around the world since her graduation in 2004. Ani has been playing with a number of acclaimed musicians like Philippe Graffin (France), Levon Chilingirian (UK) Charles Avsharian (USA) and others in Germany, Netherlands, UAE and Australia. She is also a co-founder of the "Armenian Heritage Ensemble, Singapore" a group of Armenian artists, living and performing in Singapore. In addition, Ani is teaching and conducting violin masterclasses in Singapore and South East Asia.
Gulnara Mashurova - harp
Gulnara Mashurova was born in Almaty, Kazakhstan. She began to play the piano at the age of 6, and by the age of 9 she was chosen to study the harp at the Moscow Conservatory under Natalia Sibor. In 1991–93 she studied with Vera Dulova at the Moscow Conservatory. Ms. Mashurova earned her BA and MA in harp from the Juilliard School as a Jerome Green research assistant with Nancy Allen, Principal Harpist of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. She received her second master's degree in orchestral performance with a full scholarship from the Manhattan School of Music under the direction of Deborah Hoffman, former Principal Harpist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Gulnara regularly replaced the New York Philharmonic Orchestra both in concerts, and also toured extensively with the orchestra. She has performed with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Suspeso Contemporary, Absolute Ensemble, Stamford Symphony Orchestra, Empire State Opera and Silk Road Ensemble with Yo Yo Ma.
Gulnara Mashurova can be heard performing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, The Silk Road Ensemble, NHK Japan and the Absolute Ensemble. She appears as a soloist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1994 she became a finalist for the World International Harp Competition in Wales, Cardiff. She has participated in the Pacific Music Festival, the Norfolk Music Festival, the Spoleto Festival, USA, and the Spoleto Festival, Italy. In 2003, Ms Mashurova joined the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as Lead Harpist and as a faculty in Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
Gulnara regularly replaced the New York Philharmonic Orchestra both in concerts, and also toured extensively with the orchestra. She has performed with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Suspeso Contemporary, Absolute Ensemble, Stamford Symphony Orchestra, Empire State Opera and Silk Road Ensemble with Yo Yo Ma.
Gulnara Mashurova can be heard performing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, The Silk Road Ensemble, NHK Japan and the Absolute Ensemble. She appears as a soloist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1994 she became a finalist for the World International Harp Competition in Wales, Cardiff. She has participated in the Pacific Music Festival, the Norfolk Music Festival, the Spoleto Festival, USA, and the Spoleto Festival, Italy. In 2003, Ms Mashurova joined the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as Lead Harpist and as a faculty in Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
Bian Tong - Dizi
Bian Tong started learning Dizi at the age of 10, and has since then participated in numerous performances locally and abroad. He is currently the General Affairs Manager of the Singapore Dicapella Dizi Ensemble, South-East Asia’s First and Largest Chinese Bamboo Flute Ensemble. Bian Tong is also an alumnus of the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra.
Bian Tong was the Grand Champion in Senior Category of the 2016 Mediacorp Symphony 92.4 Young Talents Project, a locally renowned classical music competition; he was also the only Chinese Instrumentalist shortlisted to proceed into the Semi-Finals. Bian Tong also attained the Gold Award for the Singapore Raffles Music College Cultural Arts Festival 2016. He was also selected to perform as a soloist with the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra in their 2018 production Oriental Winds, and actively performs with Victoria Chinese Orchestra as well.
Apart from local concerts and community performances, Bian Tong also frequents overseas stages. In 2017, Bian Tong attained the Gold and Silver awards in the China West Lake International Youth Music Festival Professional Category, participating with Dicapella and as a soloist respectively. He also led Dicapella to attend the 2016 China-ASEAN Music Week, and 2018 Taipei Dizi and Woodwinds Music Festival, representing Singapore. Bian Tong was also given the honor of accompanying the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra to participate in the 2017 Macau International Youth Music Festival.
Bian Tong was the Grand Champion in Senior Category of the 2016 Mediacorp Symphony 92.4 Young Talents Project, a locally renowned classical music competition; he was also the only Chinese Instrumentalist shortlisted to proceed into the Semi-Finals. Bian Tong also attained the Gold Award for the Singapore Raffles Music College Cultural Arts Festival 2016. He was also selected to perform as a soloist with the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra in their 2018 production Oriental Winds, and actively performs with Victoria Chinese Orchestra as well.
Apart from local concerts and community performances, Bian Tong also frequents overseas stages. In 2017, Bian Tong attained the Gold and Silver awards in the China West Lake International Youth Music Festival Professional Category, participating with Dicapella and as a soloist respectively. He also led Dicapella to attend the 2016 China-ASEAN Music Week, and 2018 Taipei Dizi and Woodwinds Music Festival, representing Singapore. Bian Tong was also given the honor of accompanying the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra to participate in the 2017 Macau International Youth Music Festival.
Jamshid - cello (Uzbekistan)
Born in Uzbekistan, Jamshid started learning the cello at the age of 7. In 2003, he entered Specialised Musical School named after Uspensky, where he studied with Madina Galiulina for 12 years. Then he continues learned cello at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, the National University of Singapore where he studies with Ng Pei-Sian (Principal Cellist of SSO).
In 2014, Jamshid won 1st prize in the Knushevitsky International Cello Competition(Russia, Saratov). He has had solo masterclasses with Jan Vogler, Alexandr Buzlov, Qin Li-Wei, Ni Hai-Ye, Alexei Seleznyov, Tsutsumi Tsuyoshi, Vladimir Tonkha, Johan van Iersel, Jonathan Manson, Tillman Wick, as well as chamber masterclasses and collaborationts with Gábor Takács-Nagy, London Haydn Quartet, Endellion Quartet, Amber Quartet, Takács Quartet, Alexander Sitkovetskiy, New Zealand Quartet, Shanghai quartet, The Juilliard String Quartet, Shlomo Mintz.
Recently, Jamshid won the auditions for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, will be joining them in July of 2019.
As an orchestra musician Jamshid has been invited as a Guest Principal Cellist to the Sun Symphony Orchestra in Vietnam, Hanoi. He has performed in Uzbekistan, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Switzerland, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, France, Indonesia.
In 2014, Jamshid won 1st prize in the Knushevitsky International Cello Competition(Russia, Saratov). He has had solo masterclasses with Jan Vogler, Alexandr Buzlov, Qin Li-Wei, Ni Hai-Ye, Alexei Seleznyov, Tsutsumi Tsuyoshi, Vladimir Tonkha, Johan van Iersel, Jonathan Manson, Tillman Wick, as well as chamber masterclasses and collaborationts with Gábor Takács-Nagy, London Haydn Quartet, Endellion Quartet, Amber Quartet, Takács Quartet, Alexander Sitkovetskiy, New Zealand Quartet, Shanghai quartet, The Juilliard String Quartet, Shlomo Mintz.
Recently, Jamshid won the auditions for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, will be joining them in July of 2019.
As an orchestra musician Jamshid has been invited as a Guest Principal Cellist to the Sun Symphony Orchestra in Vietnam, Hanoi. He has performed in Uzbekistan, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Switzerland, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, France, Indonesia.