Positive Motions Concert Series Presents "FOR ALL OUR MOTHERS," 5/8

Positive Motions Foundation in association with the Glendale Philharmonic Association and Positive Motions Concert Series, Ruslan Biryukov, Producer and Artistic Director, will present "FOR ALL OUR MOTHERS," a concert in honor of Mother's Day, to be presented on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Glendale; 209 N. Louise Street (at Wilson Avenue); Glendale, CA 91206.

Ruslan Biryukov, Producer and Artistic Director of the Positive Motions Concert Series and Founder of the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra, said: "The most important woman in any individual's life is his or her mother. A mother's presence affects us our entire lives; she cannot be replaced by anyone. So, with Mother's Day almost here, we will pay tribute to all our mothers with music."

"FOR ALL OUR MOTHERS" will feature a special appearance by world renowned mezzo-soprano, Ruby Hinds, in her one-woman multi-media show, "See there in the distance," a tribute to the legendary contralto Marian Anderson, who made history as the first African American singer to appear on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on January 7, 1955 singing the role of Ulrica in Giuseppe Verdi's opera, "Un Ballo in Maschera." Hinds' one-woman show, "See there in the distance," is set on the evening of Marian Anderson's historic Metropolitan Opera debut and chronicles Anderson's life and accomplishments. Hinds will be accompanied on piano by conductor Frank Fetta.

Other repertoire for the concert will include the World Premiere of "Splashes of Spring" written by composer George N. Gianopoulos, to be performed by cellists Ruslan Biryukov and Maksim Velichkin. Among the other performers participating in this concert are: violinist Danielle Belen; pianist Yana Reznik; guitarist Iren Arutyunyan; pianist Mary Au; trumpeter Ilya Sergienko; and 16-year-old cellist Andrea Yu in her Los Angeles concert debut.

Among the other musical selections on the program are: Pablo de Sarasate's "Introduction" and "Tarantelle;" Isaac Albéniz's "Cadiz" and "Legend;" Antonin Dvo?ák's "Cello Concerto;" Alfred Reed's Second Movement of "Concerto for Trumpet with Orchestra;" The First Movement of Roland Dyens' "Fuoco;" William Grant Still's "Mother and Child" from the "Suite for Violin and Cello" and Nikolav Rakov's "Humoresque."

The concert will be performed in the First Baptist Church of Glendale, a recently restored 104-year-old architectural and acoustical jewel of Los Angeles. Tickets are $15, $20, $25 and $50 for VIP Tickets. Tickets and can be purchased by calling 323-663-3601 (English/Russian); 323-463-7224 (Russian/English) and online at www.GlendalePhilharmonic.com, www.PositiveMotions.org or www.CelloArt.com.

Parking is $5 in nearby parking lots on Louise Street and Wilson Avenue, or on the street. For further information about the concert "FOR ALL OUR MOTHERS," please visit the websites, www.GlendalePhilharmonic.com, www.PositiveMotions.org or www.CelloArt.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the First Baptist Church of Glendale.

Ruby Hinds (Mezzo-Soprano) (of Pasadena) The creation of new roles in 20th century operas and bringing new perspective to standard operatic heroines has been the hallmark of this artist's career. Ruby Hinds has garnered critical acclaim from the Star-Bulletin in Honolulu as a "graceful and seductive Venus" in her debut performance as Venus in Wagner's "Tannhaüser" for the Hawaii Opera Theatre. Hinds' performance as Amneris in Verdi's "Aïda" at the Redlands Bowl was described as "mesmerizing" by the Redlands Daily Facts. Opera News Magazine wrote of her performance as Adalgisa in Bellini's "Norma:" "Ruby Hinds sang with a natural harmonious blend of style especially striking in her scenes with Norma." In a review of an appearance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra the Los Angeles Times wrote: "Mezzo Ruby Hinds carried the afternoon. Her great majesty and compelling elegance set the tone...she brought long breathed phrases caressed by rich, dark gleaming Wagnerian timbre...'Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen' managed to be transporting."

Hinds had the distinction of singing her first Wagnerian role, Ortrud in "Lohengrin" for the New Bulgarian Opera, in its Premiere Season. She essayed the Verdi's role of Eboli in "Don Carlo" for the Nice Opera and portrayed the title role of Bizet's "Carmen" for Opera Ebony in Canada. Hinds recently performed as part of a star-studded cast for a benefit performance honoring the actress Doris Roberts at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA. Her newest project is her one-woman multi-media show entitled "See there in the distance," which has enjoyed successful performances in California, Las Vegas, New York and on PBS. This one-woman show chronicles the life and accomplishments of legendary contralto Marian Anderson. The Los Angeles Sentinel wrote of Hinds performance as Marian Anderson: "There were moments when one could, if he chose to close his eyes, almost envision Marian Anderson and her resonant voice as brought forth to the stage by Ruby Hinds."

Some of the foremost composers, directors, conductors and choreographers of the 20th century have been a part of Hinds' career. She made her European debut in the World Premiere of Robert Wilson and Philip Glass' "the CIVIL warS" for the Rome Opera. She continued that alliance with subsequent performances at City Center, New York; the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles; Brooklyn Academy Of Music, New York and the Netherlands Opera, Holland. She was invited back to Holland to open the new National Opera House for the Netherlands in Otto Ketting's "Ithaka." Hinds created the role of the evil Stepmother in Philip Glass' and Robert Moran's "The Juniper Tree" directed by Anbrea Serban at the American Repertory Theater in Boston. One of the foremost choreographer's of our time Bill T. Jones combined his talents with composer Leroy Jenkins and librettist Anne T. Greene to create the ballet/opera, the "Mother of Three Sons," in which Hinds took on the title role for the Munich Biennial Festival. The success of these performances was so immediate that it led to engagements at the Aachen Opera House, Houston Grand Opera and the New York City Opera. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in the role of Maffio Orsini in Donizetti's "Lucretia Borgia" with Eve Queler's Opera Orchestra of New York.

She made her New York Philharmonic debut on the orchestra's chamber series and two days later, her National Symphony debut at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. with Maestro Frühbeck de Burgos conducting. The Washington, D.C. concert was shown in part on the PBS-TV special, "Moods and Music." Hinds appeared with the New York Philharmonic as a soloist in Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9," under the baton of Zubin Mehta. She also debuted in Mexico City in the Mahler's "Symphony No. 8." Hinds was featured on the PBS broadcast of Robert Greenleaf's "Under the Arbor." Hinds has also appeared in New York at Alice Tully Hall and Lincoln Center, and for the Spoleto Festival, both in Charleston, S.C. and in Spoleto, Italy, with her two sisters, internationally known as the Hinds Sisters Trio. Ruby Hinds is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, CT.

Frank Fetta (Fetta franco) (Pianist/Conductor) (of Eagle Rock) is a Conductor, as well as a Pianist and Organist. He has been reviewed in the Los Angeles Times as a conductor of, "passion, wit, admirable theatrical sensitivity and an interpretative individuality often extraordinarily mesmerizing." Fetta is the Principal Conductor of the Culver City Symphony, Torrance Symphony, Marina del Rey Summer Symphony, Nevada Opera Theatre, Inland Ballet Theatre, California Festival San Bernardino, Redlands Bowl Music Festival Symphony Orchestra and The Loren L. Zachary Society For The Performing Arts. As a Guest Conductor, orchestras he has performed with include: Redlands, San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland, Pasadena, Honolulu, and the Debut Orchestra of the Young Musicians Foundation and the United Chinese Musicians Orchestra. Fetta has conducted for cellist Julian Lloyd Weber; violinist Leila Josefowicz; and violinist Eugene Fodor, who was the first American to win the Tchaikovsky Competition. He has also has conducted Pops evenings with vocalists Joan Collins, Lorna Luft, Rita Coolidge, Vicky Carr, Katherine Grayson and Anna Maria Alberghetti, among others. Fetta was born in Pert Amboy, NJ. As a teenager his early passion for music guided him to piano and organ. Since organs were difficult to come by, to become a proficient organist, he played without wages in neighborhood funeral homes. He still maintains this fervor and serves as organist at Corpus Christi Church in Pacific Palisades. Fetta graduated from Ithaca College Conservatory, and studied piano with Alton Jones, a member of the Julliard School of Music. Upon arriving on the West Coast, Fetta studied conducting five years with Fritz Zweig, and piano with Gwendolyn Koldovsky, which led to his position of a faculty member of the Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara. He is married to inventor-artist, Susan Henninger. They have a son, Raphael, an actor who lives in New York.

George N. Gianopoulos (Γε?ργιος Ν. Gianopoulos) (Composer) (of Los Angeles), known colloquially as Nick, began his musical study at age 18 upon entering college. Enraptured by his first course, An Introduction to the World of Music, Gianopoulos immersed himself in the world of classical music, including the study of musical theory, repertoire, performance and history. He immediately began taking group piano lessons and within a semester he advanced to private lessons with Dr. Robert M. Auler. Throughout his tutelage he also undertook the art of pedagogue, developing a private piano studio of 12 students as well as working as a church pianist and organist. After four years of intense study, he gave a senior recital that included performances of works by Mozart, Schumann, Rachmaninoff and Chopin, as well as performances of original compositions. He is currently continues his work as a teacher and composer.

Ruslan Biryukov (?????? ???????) (Cellist; Producer and Artistic Director, Positive Motions Concert Series; Founder, Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra) (of Silverlake) In a recent reviews of his performances, The Beverly Hills Outlook wrote: "Ruslan Biryukov is an astonishing young cellist," while www.reviewplays.com wrote: "To say his performance was incredible would not do it justice." Biryukov has served as the Former General Director of Concert Department of Association "Russian Performing School" (Rostropovich Foundation) in Moscow for four years from 1998 - 2002. Since the age of 11 he has performed professionally, starting in 1995 when he began playing up to 150 performances annually as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the world, including countries in the former USSR, in Europe, and in the United States. As a chamber musician he has appeared with world-renowned violinist, Midori at Disney Hall in Los Angeles, with cellist Kirill Rodin, and with members of the Ysave Quartet. He is the only cello soloist to be invited for seven years in a row to perform solo recitals at LACMA's Sunday's Live Concert Series broadcast live on the radio and online. He was the only Russian Cello Soloist invited to perform during the opening season of the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, where he performed Mozart's "Cello Concerto." He first earned international recognition by winning major awards in Azerbaijan and by having his name included in the Gold Book of Russia's international program "New Names." Biryukov has gone on to win numerous other awards worldwide, including First Prize in the 17th Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition. Biryukov is also the Founder of the newly formed Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra and the Producer and Artistic Director of Positive Motions Concert Series.

Maksim Velichkin (?????? ????????z) (Principal Cellist, Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra) (of Koreatown) enjoys a broad musical life of a cellist, collaborative pianist, and harpsichordist both locally and throughout the world. He has appeared as a soloist with Uzbekistan National Symphony, Duquesne Contemporary Ensemble, Verbier Festival Symphony Orchestra, AYS, Torrance, Westchester, Southeast and Bellflower Symphony Orchestras. Velichkin has extensively toured Europe, Asia, both Americas and Australia with the Verbier Chamber and Symphony Orchestras as a Principal Cellist. Velichkin has collaborated with a number of prominent conductors and instrumentalists, including: James Levine, Kurt Masur, Charles Dutoit, Yuri Temirkanov, Wolfgang Sawallish, Herbert Blomstedt, Christoph von Dohnanyi, Neemi and Paavo Yarvi, Sarah Chang, Maxim Vengerov (EMI recording project), Yuri Bashmet, Joshua Bell and others. Velichkin's concert credits include performances with singer Bobby Mc Ferrin in Switzerland, pianist Gabriela Montero in Mexico, performances in Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh and appearances on the prestigious Miyazaki Music Festival in Japan. In addition, he has been active in the popular music scene performing and recording with Bitter:Sweet, Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, John Legend, Red Elvises, Bernadette Peters and many others. Velichkin serves as Principal Cellist of the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra and as Artistic Advisor of Positive Motions Concert Series.

Danielle Belen (Violinist) (of Los Angeles) is the First Prize winner of the 2008 Sphinx Competition, a national string competition for Latinos and African Americans. She will release her debut recording with Naxos later this year. Belen recently performed as soloist with the Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Colorado, Nashville and San Francisco Symphonies, the Boston Pops and the Florida and Cleveland Orchestras. Zachary Lewis from the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote: "Violinist Danielle Belen captivated every ear with an assured, impassioned performance of Ravel's ‘Tzigane,' knocking off the daunting showpiece as if it were a trifle." She has recently worked with conductors Franz Welser-Mostt, Robert Spano, Keith Lockhart and Carl St. Clair. A graduate of the USC Thornton School of Music and the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles, Belen is now on faculty at the Colburn School. With a growing violin studio of her own, she is also teaching assistant to renowned pedagogue Robert Lipsett. She also teaches master classes and leads community engagements across the country in conjunction with her professional performance appearances. Belen plays on a 1709 Allessandro Gagliano violin from the Mandell Collection of Southern California.

Yana Reznik (??? ??????) (Pianist) (of Hollywood) Michael Walsh of Time Magazine wrote of her that "having heard every great pianist active since 1971, including Horowitz, Rubinstein, and Serkin, I can confidently say that Ms. Reznik is determined to follow in their footsteps; indeed, think of her as a young Martha Argerich and you will have some idea of the experience that lies in store for you." A winner of the Artists International Competition, Reznik gave a Sold Out Debut at Weill RecitAl Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2004. She has performed at Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Tanglewood Festival, Aspen Festival, and has been presented by the Los Angeles Bach Festival, the Maestro Foundation, Sundays Live at Four (KUSC 81.5 FAM), the Sunset Series in Los Gatos, Classical Underground, the Colburn Chamber Music Series, the Huntington Arts Festival in New York, Classical Music Encounters of Orange County and the Western Society of Chamber Music, to name a few. Born in Moscow, Reznik holds a B.M. degree from the Manhattan School of Music, an M.M. degree from the University of Southern California, and a Professional Studies Certificate from the Colburn School of Performing Arts. In 2010, Reznik created the "Artistic Voyage" concert series, a gathering of musicians and artists to benefit humanitarian organizations around the world. She also serves as Artistic Director and Pianist for the "Live at the Lounge" classical concert series at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, CA.

Iren Arutyunyan (???? ?????????) (Guitarist) (of Hollywood) began studying classical guitar at the age of seven under the instruction of her father, Garik Arutyunyan. Since she was 13, Arutyunyan has garnered many awards, including first prize at the Aron Green/ASTA Classical Guitar Competition. She was the grand prizewinner in the statewide junior category of the American String Teachers Association Competition. She received first prize and an award for most outstanding performance from the Armenian Allied Arts. In 2006 Arutyunyan participated in the Parkening International Guitar Competition and was selected a finalist in the junior category. She received two associate degrees in music and liberal arts from Los Angeles City College prior to receiving her high school diploma at age 16. In 2009, she graduated with a Bachelors of Music degree from the University of Southern California under the direction of virtuoso Scott Tennat.. She is currently continuing her studies at USC in the pursuit of a Masters in Music degree under the direction of her pervious instructor Brian Head.

Mary Au (???) (Pianist) (of Silverlake) is a Hong Kong born pianist Mary Au is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and the University of Southern California. She has concertized on three continents as a keyboard collaborative artist, appearing in recitals, on recordings, and on television and radio. Her collaborative work has included appearances in the Community Concert Series, sponsored by Columbia Artists Management Inc. Au has also been collaborative artist at the International Gregor Piatigorsky Seminar for Cellists, The National Cello Institute, The Colburn School of Performing Arts, the University of Southern California and the John F. Kennedy Center/Rockefeller Foundation International Competition for Excellence in the performance of American Music. Au, who was a former executive for the Grammy Awards, will accompany 16-year-old cellist Andrea Yu in this concert, which marks Yu's Los Angeles concert debut.

Ilya Sergienko (???? ?????????) (Trumpeter) (of Newport Beach) was born in 1986 in Saratov, Russia. There he went to Music School (Academy) for gifted children. At the age of 17 he was accepted into the St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Music. Sergienko has been a part of many festivals and competitions of classical and jazz music. He has also played in many symphonies and opera theatres.

Andrea Yu (Cellist) (???)(of San Diego) is a 16-year-old cellist. She has performed as a recitalist, soloist with orchestras and chamber musician. A student of cellist Ruslan Biryukov at the Alto Polis Academy, Yu has won top prizes in numerous competitions including the Chi Mei Arts Award, Inland Valley Youth Concerto Competition, 54th Redlands Bowl Young Artist Competition, Young Musicians Foundation Concerto Competition, Satori Strings Competition, Linda Cohen Scholarship Foundation, the Music Teachers' Association of California Concerto Competition, Music Teachers Association of California Vocal, Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, Solo Strings State Competition, Music Teachers' National Association California Association of Professional Music Teachers Honors Audition, and scholarships from the Los Angeles Violoncello Society, Associated Arts and the H.B. Goodlin Foundation. She has served as the Assistant Principal of the San Diego Youth Symphony, and has completed the Music Teachers' Association of Calfornia Certificate of Merit. In collaboration with the Young Musicians Foundation, she was selected to participate in a trio coached by renowned violinist Alice Schoenfeld. She has appeared on the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Sundays Live radio and Internet broadcast, hosted by KCSN 88.5 FM. A native San Diegan, Yu is an 11th grade student at the Mount Carmel High School. Upcoming engagements include appearances with the Inland Valley Symphony playing Dvo?ák's "Concerto" and the Culver City Chamber Orchestra, where she will play Haydn's "Concerto in C Major." Her appearance with Positive Motion Concert Series' "FOR ALL OUR MOTHERS" concert on May 8, 2010 marks her Los Angeles concert debut.

For further information about the concert "FOR ALL OUR MOTHERS," please visit the websites, www.GlendalePhilharmonic.com, www.PositiveMotions.org or www.CelloArt.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the First Baptist Church of Glendale.

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