Elena Sharkova has been Artistic Director of the Cantabile Youth Singers since 2004 and oversees all educational and performance aspects of the program, in addition to conducting the Ensemble and Vocalise. A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Ms. Sharkova arrived in the Bay Area in 1998 to join the faculty at San JoseState University where she served as Director of Choral Activities, conducting three choirs and teaching classes in voice, choral conducting, and music education until spring 2006. In her ninth year as Artistic Director of Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale (formerly San Jose State University Chorale), Elena prepares and conducts the chorus in five programs each season at the California Theatre in San Jose.
Ms. Sharkova received a Bachelor’s Degree in music education and piano and subsequently a Master’s in choral conducting from the Rimski-Korsakov State Conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia. Upon graduation, she was appointed Chair of the Choral Department of the Preparatory Music School at the conservatory. There she conducted four children’s choruses (ages 3 to 19) and taught the innovative Ogorodnov Method to graduate conducting students.
Elena is delighted to be working with young voices again, this time in North America! In demand nationally and internationally as guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Ms. Sharkova has lectured extensively on Russian choral tradition and premiered several contemporary Russian major choral works. She has presented workshops and clinics for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), and the Association of Kodaly Educators. Elena has conducted children’s, community, university, and professional choirs and orchestras in the USA, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Baltic republics, Scandinavia, and Russia. With Cantabile Youth Singers, she made her Carnegie Hall debut in June 2005 and performed at the American Orff-Schulwerk Association 2007 National Convention. Elena’s most recent engagements include Texas, Missouri, and Kansas All-State Honor Choirs and the American Choral Directors Association South West Division 2008 Convention Treble Choir. Ms. Sharkova lives in San Jose with her wine-maker husband, Tony, and their five-year-old son, Sasha.
