Aviya Kopelman

Aviya Kopelman - Biography Moscow-born Aviya Kopelman is one of the most prominent composers in Israel today. Her orchestral and chamber works have been performed frequently in Israel as well as worldwide to great acclaim among audiences and critics alike. At 2006 Kopelman was commissioned to write an obligatory work for the 12th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition (listen at the official website.) Last year (2007), Aviya has won the Prime Minister Prize for Composition (Israel), a prestigious award in Israel for composers to allow them the possibility to devote themselves to the creative life. Just before that, she has won an international competition to compose a work for the legendary Kronos Quartet, competing against over 200 composers from 28 countries across the globe. The piece, "Widows & Lovers", was premiered at Carnegie Hall, NY and performed around the world. Soon it will be recorded for Kronos' CD. (details at http://kronosquartet.org/under30/index.html and at the website.)Kopelman came to Israel with her family as a child some twenty years ago. She began studying music by taking piano lessons with several teachers, such as Natasha Tadson and Lea Agmon, and focused her attention on playing until her graduation from the Israel Arts and Science Academy in Jerusalem. It was there that she had first encountered advanced music studies such as improvisation and composition lessons. At the age of 19 she decided to devote herself to composing. She acquired an academic education at the Rubin Music Academy in Jerusalem, where she received a bachelor’s degree in composition (under Tzvi Avni). Since her graduation she has enjoyed the devoted support and advice of composer Oded Zehavi. Her works are performed regularly by some of the finest musicians from Israel and from around the world: The Israel Chamber Orchestra, Jerusalem Camerata, The Israel Kibbuts Orchestra, Ensemble de la Paix (France), Ensembles such as The Jerusalem Trio, Octet Conjunto Iberico (Spain), Carmel Quartet, Musica Nova, Les Solistes de Waterloo (Belgium), The soloists Gavriel Lipkind (cello), Eyal Shiloach (violin), Sameer Makhoul (oud). She is regularly commissioned by institutes such as the “Israel Festival”, “Kfar Bloom” festival and the “Sounds of the South” festival. Kopelman teaches composition, harmony, orchestration etc. at the Hed College for Music in Tel Aviv and at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music.Full bio, press kit, and more info you can find at www.aviyakopelman.com