NARMINA AFANDIYEVA an award winning pianist received her Master’s degree in Performance from the U. Hadjibeyov Azerbaijan State Conservatory. Born in Baku to a family of four generations of musicians, Narmina never questioned her future as a professional pi- anist. She gave her first solo concert at the age of six and was playing Mandolin serious Bach by the age of eight. Narmina studied at the Bülbül Specialized Music School in Baku Orchestra and graduated with honours in 1994. That same year, she entered the Alexander Veprinskiy Artistic Director/Conductor Conservatory and in 1998 was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 2000 she received a Master’s Degree, graduating with first-class hon- ours. As her studies and career developed, Narmina became a winner of many piano competitions in Azerbaijan and Russia. In addition to recital performances, featuring the she is an accompanist. In Canada, Narmina graduated in the Collaborative Piano Program at the University of Toronto where she was awarded the Gwendolyn Koldofsky Prize in Accompanying. Narmina has also worked as Music Director and Pianist for productions of the Summer NARMINA AFANDIYEVA Opera Lyric Theatre and as pianist for Toronto Operetta Theatre. Currently she is Pianist and Music Director of the upcoming production of Prince Igor staged by Opera in Concert. She Award winning pianist and husband Hassan Anami also perform as a well-polished duo.

HASSAN ANAMI, tenor HASSAN ANAMI was born in Tabriz, Iran and although he was Merited Artist of Azerbaijan drawn to music as a child, he had no opportunity to get a professional education. At age 14 he learned Azeri music (traditional songs of Azerbaijan) by listening to cassettes. He became part of a musical Plus H group which performed at homes of Azeri music lovers.In 1988-89, when the Iranian government permitted the opening of private music IRA EROKHINA, domra schools, Hassan studied theory and solfeggio. In 1990, after hearing Former soloist with the Osipov a concert by the three tenors, classical music so amazed him that he Folk Orchestra of Russia decided to sing opera arias as well. He went to Baku, capital of Azer- baijan, to study at the Baku Music Academy. Folk songs of Azerbaijan and Iran, Hassan was soon a winner of many vocal competitions: 1st Prize classical music from the Caucasus, in the Republic Vocalists’ Competition; title of Best Tenor in the Bülbül International Vocal- Ukraine, Russia and more ists’ Competition; and the Prize of Perspectivity in theTchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow. In 2002, he was awarded the title “Merited Artist of the Azerbaijan Republic” with a President’s scholarship. Sunday, November 15 • 4:00 PM From 1997 Hassan was a soloist of the Opera and Ballet Theatre in Baku performing in La Traviata, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, Carmen, Barber Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre of Seville and Aida. He also participated in many concerts both in Azerbaijan and abroad, (home of Tafelmusik) including Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Bolivia, Ukraine, France, Japan, Germany, and Dubai. 427 Bloor St. W (west of Spadina) IRA EROKHINA is a highly skilled performer on the 3-string domra, a mandolin-like Make an evening of it by dining at one Russian instrument. After completing post graduate studies at the Russian State Academy of of the fine restaurants in the Annex Music in Moscow, she was appointed senior lecturer at that institute. For many years Ira was a soloist with the world renowned Osipov www.dine.to/toronto_gta_area_annex_venue_restaurant Folk Orchestra in Moscow. An award-winning performer at compe- titions, Ms. Erokhina has recorded for television and radio both in Russia and abroad. After living and performing in South Africa for a number of years, Ira emigrated to Canada where she is currrently a $35 Adult • $30 Senior • $20 Student well sought after performer and teacher of mandolin, domra and pia- Call 416-533-2725 • VISA orders add $2 per ticket no. Ira has been a member of the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra, and its [email protected] • www.shevchenkomusic.com resident soloist, since 2002. As concertmaster Ira inspires members of this unique orchestra to achieve excellence in their performance.