Piano lessons with award-winning concert pianists
ILIA and VELLY TOSHEFF
Performed in Europe, Asia, and the U.S.
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
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University of Southern California (USC) - School of Music - Los Angeles - Graduate degree, Artist diploma
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Hanover University of Music and Drama (Germany) and Monaco (France) - Master's degree
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National Academy of Music - Sofia (Bulgaria) - Bachelor's degree
HONORS and AWARDS
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MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR - 1998 Sofia (Bulgaria) Most Successful Debut
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THE GRAND PRIZE - Tokyo (Japan) 1998 International Piano Duo Competition
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THE GRAND PRIZE - Dobrich (Bulgaria) 1997 The Coast of Hope Int'l Contest
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FIRST PRIZE - Rome (Italy) 1998 Valentino Bucchi Two Piano Int'l Competition
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FIRST PRIZE - Rome (Italy) 1999 International Music Tournament (TIM)
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FIRST PRIZE - Sofia (Bulgaria) 1997 Music and Earth International Competition
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WINNERS - Zaragoza (Spain) 1999 International Music Tournament
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WINNERS - Michigan (USA) 2003 International Web Concert Hall Contest
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WINNERS - Miami (USA) 2003 Best performers of newly commissioned work
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WINNERS - Los Angeles (USA) 2004 USC concerto competition
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"PREMIO "G. Zinetti" - Award for Excellence Verona (Italy) 2002 Zinetti Festival
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PREMIO "V. Bellini" - Caltanissetta (Italy) 1999 International Music Contest
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AWARD for the Most Promising Performers Groningen (Holland) 1998 Peter the Great Festival
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AWARD - for High Artistic & Performers Achievement 1998 Sofia (Bulgaria) National Academy of Music
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LAUREATES - Biel (Switzerland) 1998 Competition for Contemporary Music
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NOMINATION - for Crowning Achievement in Musical Art 1999 "Crystal Lyre Awards" Bulgaria
PERFORMANCES and TOURING
Japan, Korea, China, Germany, The Netherlands, Malta, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Switzerland and the United States, including recitals in prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Cultural Center in Chicago. Highly acclaimed European, Asian and U.S. orchestral appearances with the Klassische Philharmonie Bonn (Germany), the Brauschweiger Staatsorchestra (Germany), the State Academic Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria), the Thornton Symphony Orchestra (Los Angeles), Vallejo Symphony Orchestra (San Francisco) and the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra (China). A second tour of China for three-weeks in 2015 (all major cities).
RADIO, TV BROADCASTS and RECORDINGS
Radio DRS 2 Switzerland, Radio France International, Radio WFMT Chicago, the German NDR Radio 3 Klassik, KUSC and KMZT Los Angeles, and the Italian-, the Bulgarian-, and the Chinese National Television. Numerous recordings worldwide, including music by the famous film composer, Marco Beltrami (Terminator 3) at Warner Bros. in Los Angeles
TEACHING and PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Membership: International Piano Duo Association in Tokyo, Music Teachers Association of California.
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15 years of teaching experience, 4 to 74 yr of age, beginners through advanced to professionals; various genres of music - from classical, broadway, film, blues, christian, latin to pop and rock. Piano as well as voice and piano.
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Taught piano master-classes at the college and high school level at the San Francisco Conservatory (2007) and the San Jose State University (2009)
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Judges - Southwestern Youth Music Festival competition - LA division.
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18 years of worldwide touring as the Tosheff Piano Duo, feat. as orchestra soloist and recitalist in Asia, Europe and the U.S. Multiple live radio, TV appearances and interviews.
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13 years of experience as piano accompanists and church organists/pianist
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1998 Musician of the Year - Allegro Vivace Awards - Bulgaria
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Institute of Music, Art and Science, Bellflower/Orange County, CA piano faculty
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San Francisco Conservatory - taught piano master-classes at the high-school level
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San Jose State University - taught piano master-classes at the college level
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Southwestern Youth Music Festival competition - member of jury (Los Angeles)
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Freelance music producers, arrangers and writers
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Tujunga United Methodist Church, Tujunga (Los Angeles area), pianist/organist
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Westwood Hills Congrigational Church, Los Angeles, pianist/organist
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University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, piano accompanist
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American Academy for Dance and Kindred Art - Santa Monica, piano accompanist
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Pacific Christian on the Hill High School Los Angeles, choir accompanist
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First Baptist Church of South Miami, Miami, FL - choir accompanist
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Speak Bulgarian, Russian, German, English
TOSHEFF STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENTS
7-years successful completion of the Certificate of Merit state test by the Music Teachers Association of California. Student evaluation based on performance, theory, ear-training evaluation, technique and memorization Numerous student awards, including the First Prize at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival competition in Los Angeles area. Student performances at multiple venues, including San Francisco Conservatory, San Jose State University and semi-annual student studio recitals at the University of Southern California as well as local venues and churches in Santa Monica and Westwood.
CONCERT ACCOLADES
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"A virtuoso piano concert...masterful technique and interpretation" Hannoversche Allgemeine
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Zeitung (Germany)
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"It was a truly dazzling performance in which the generosity, technical brilliance and musical
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understanding of the two pianists left a lasting impression on the audience" Sunday Times (Malta)
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"The pair from Bulgaria delighted and fascinated the audience!" International Piano Duo
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Association Bulletin (Japan)
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"A Bulgarian duo with charm and virtuosity... very filigree and pearl-like sound in a perfect and
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flowing teamwork... full of temperament and sweeping verve" Volkstimme (Germany)
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"The Tosheffs: two very professional musician " Nieuwsbald Van Het Noorde (Holland)
For more information visit: http://tosheffpianoduo.com/