About Me
Valeria Araskina is a highly-educated and experienced multi-faceted Vocalist/Recording Artist, a top level professional working in a variety of styles including Classics, Jazz, Folk, R’n’B.Valeria’s Official Awards: *) 1st Prize Winner of ARTEADA International Vocalists Contest (Moscow, 1996). *) 2nd Award in the Moscow Conservatoire International Vocal Competition (Moscow, 1995).Born in Moscow, Russia. After graduating from the famous Gnesin Music Academy in Moscow, as a Performing Vocalist, Valeria entered the Moscow State University (Faculty of Music). Having graduated from it with a Bachelor's Degree in 2000, she then proceeded with Post Graduate Studies and obtained Magistral Degree.Along with her having been brought up and educated as a Classical/Jazz vocalist, Valeria has also been the front singer with Prima Donna, the famous Russian Hard Rock band of the 90-ies, which was probably the first Russian Rock band that toured in the West (Europe, Ireland, the UK).Valeria has gained considerable performing and recording experience in the West. While recording in German studios the tracks for her first Solo release, she was actively touring around Germany in 1992-1994, having performed together with Lora Newton, Maria Joao, Joe Pass.Her talents have been highly appreciated by quite a few reputable people in Music Industry, among them are: *) Vangelis *) Alexandre de Guise *) Joe Pass *) Michel Petrucciani *) Michael UrbaniakValeria has participated in several International Music Festivals worldwide, including: *) FIMU, Belfort, France, 1998 *) International Jazz Festival, Mainz, Germany, 1994 *) Russian Culture Festival, Frankfurter Hof, Mainz, Germany, 1992Valeria has released several solo Albums, in genres ranging from Classics to Jazz and Folk Rock fusion. The first one of them, entitled “Welcome to Spring†(1998), represents the Russian ancient Folk music arranged in a contemporary Pop/Folk/Rock fusion manner.At the time being, along with pursuing her Solo career, Valeria’s also busy with quite a lot if teaching - she runs her personal Vocal Courses/Master-classes/Workshops at RMA (Rainbow Music Agency - the American School of Show Business having a branch in Moscow), based on her individual teaching methodics/technique which has its roots in Jazz, Folk and Authentic Classics that she had been raised upon. Also, at the time Valeria is the Artistic Director of one of the Moscow's most well-known and trendy Jazz/Classic Clubs "Graf Orloff" (Le Duc Orloff).Recently she produced her New Jazz Solo Concert program, having involved some of the leading Moscow musicians to form her supporting band, Jazz Plus (all of them top level professionals in Moscow/European Jazz scene), and released the relative CD Album (EP). It's a set of well-known Jazz "standards", yet represented in a really special, quite individual way and a manner that, while being based on Mainstream (traditional) Jazz and Classic grounds, at the same time apparently meets the requirements of Contemporary Jazz Culture, thus appearing to be classically delicate, innovative and stylish.Now, having already received quite a few favorable reviews and responses from International Industry and Media contacts, Valeria is searching best opportunities to successfully market and promote her Projects in Europe/the UK/the US and is interested in collaboration with the established Industry professionals willing to cooperate with her.Profile Edited by MPS MySpace Editor 2.0
