Alexander S. Ponomaryov (1938-2012)

VESNA Children’s Choir Founder.

Alexander Ponomaryov (13.11.1938-16.05.2012), renowned Soviet and Russian choir director, founder, artistic director and chief conductor of Vesna Children’s Choir, principal of Vesna Choir school.

Distinguished artist of Russia (1984), winner of the Moscow Award in the Field of Literature and Arts (1994), winner of the Federal grant program “Gifted Children” within the Presidential program “Children of Russia”(2002), recipient of the Order of Friendship (2004), laureate of international competitions, panel member of many Russian and international choral competitions, author of a number of articles, choral adaptations and arrangements. Under his direction, for almost 50 years VESNA had performed with its concert programs in more than 50 cities of Russia, Europe, Japan, Canada, and China.

In 2000 the Choir won the Great European Choral Award among all the choirs of all types “Europe – 2000 Grand Prix”.

Teaching music to children became Aleksander Ponomaryov’s life goal and he was able to create a collective that was known all over the world and reached the heights unheard-of for a children’s choir, a school where the unique creative and humane atmosphere was mingled with thorough professionalism. Alexander Ponomaryov was dedicated teacher beloved by all VESNA alumni. Since 2013 the school has born the name of A.S. Ponomaryov.

Nadezhda Averina

Artistic Director and Conductor of Ponomaryov VESNA Children’s Choir.

Nadezhda Averina, VESNA alumna. Graduated from the School and went on to join Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory first as an undergrad and then a graduate student.

PhD (History of Arts), Professor of Moscow Conservatory, laureate of international competitions, Merited Artist of Moscow.

Since 2012 she has been Artistic director of Ponomaryov VESNA Choir School, Conductor of VESNA Children’s Choir. Under the leadership of Dr. Averina, the Choir received first places and Grand Prix at the international choir competitions in 2006 (Tolosa, Spain), 2010 (Nyiregyhaza, Hungary), 2012 (Malcesine, Italy), 2014 (Neerpelt, Belgium and Halle, Germany), 2016 (Debrecen, Hungary), 2017 (Daugavpils, Latvia), “Europe-2017 Grand Prix” (Tolosa, Spain), 2019 (Barcelona, Spain).

Dr. Averina has written articles on methodology of teaching, arranged for choir performance a number of music pieces, compiled numerous choir music collections (seven of them were included in the Golden Library of Choirmaster series). She holds seminars and master classes for choirmasters on a regular basis, she is a member of judging panels of many Russian and international choir competitions.

Choir School «Vesna» - 55 years!

In 2020, Ponomaryov «Vesna» children's music school celebrates the 55th anniversary!

Created by an outstanding soviet choir conductor and teacher, Honored Artist of Russia Alexander Ponomaryov (1938-2012), Ponomaryov «Vesna» Children's Choir and the school that grew up on its basis are considered to be among the best in the country.

Opening the jubilee season, the choir groups of the school will perform on the stage of Grand Hall "Zaryadye" for the first time. The concert program includes: choral miniatures of Russian and foreign classical composers, works by contemporary authors, folk songs.

You can purchase tickets here.