Mrs Tamara Smolyar - Researcher Profile

Biography

Tamara Smolyar represents the finest traditions of the famous Russian piano school and comes from a family with a musical background, which spans over four generations. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Tamara began her formal piano lessons at the age of four. She studied with professors O.Orlova (a pupil of K.Mikhailov), I. Ryabov (pupil of J.Zaak), and E. Rzhanov (pupil of J.Fliere). Tamara graduated from the Kiev State College of Music and the Kiev State Conservatorium of Music with High Honours. She participated in masterclasses with world famous pianists E. Malinin, A. Nasedkin, L. Berman,T. Nikolaeva, T. Kravchenko, N. Topilin, V. Sechkin,V. Neilson. In the former USSR, Tamara performed nationwide in solo, concerto and chamber music recitals as well as on radio and television. She is a winner of First Chamber Music Competition (Ukraine) and also was awarded the title of Best Accompanist of Ukraine and USSR. In 1994, Tamara gained her Master in Music (Performance) from the University of Melbourne, where she studied with A Semetsky (pupil of E. Gilels) and Professor R. Farren-Price.

Since arriving in Australia in 1990, Tamara has been in constant demand as a teacher, lecturer, adjudicator, and performer. Tamara has numerous CDs, Radio and TV recordings for national and international broadcasters. With her recitals, concerto and chamber music performances she graced many prominent venues across Australia, Asia, Russia and Europe. Her wide repertoire comprises pieces of many styles and this has led to a number of composers writing music for her as a soloist and a chamber music performer. Tamara played with many internationally renowned musicians and conductors from Australia, Germany, France, Russia, Israel, New Zealand, Japan, UK, Switzeland, Czechoslovakia, USA .She has given masterclasses at various music schools, colleges and universities in Russia, Australia, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Romania. In recent years Tamara performed at the Symposium of the International Musicological Society, International Double Reed Society, International Bucharest Contemporary Music Festival, Yamaha Concert Series, ”Steinway Spectacular” Concert Series.

Over more than twenty five years of teaching experience Tamara has been fostering and developing the talents of the musicians under her tutelage to a high level of music performance. She instils in her students a solid technique and opens their ears to the vast scope of the piano literature. Tamara’s aspiration is that students develop as musicians and also become innovative studio teachers and leaders in their profession. The experience she offers to students leads them to performative, academic and vocationally-based outcomes that aim to encourage flexibility to the musical marketplace. The success of her approach is evidenced by the fact that a number of Tamara’s former students now hold positions as pianists and teachers both nationally and internationally.

At present, Tamara is Senior Lecturer in Music Performance and Coordinator of Piano/Keyboard at the School of Music – Conservatorium at Monash University.

Qualifications

MUSIC PERFORMANCE

Institution: UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

Year awarded: 1995

MUSIC

Institution: Kiev State Cons

Year awarded: 1984

Publications

Other

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2012, Lamero, saro constante for voice, violin and piano, W.A. Mozart, 6 minutes, 8 April 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Smolyar, T., Yu, S., 2011, Alamuhan for voice and piano, Chinese Folk Song, 3 mins, 8 April 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Smolyar, T., Yu, S., 2011, Ave Maria for voice and piano, G. Caccini, 5 mins, 8 April 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Smolyar, T., 2011, Corentyne Kwe-Kwe-Toccata op.75, Alan Bush, 6 mins, 23 May 2011, Jaya Suprana School of Performing Arts, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Smolyar, T., 2011, Debumessquisse, Diana Rotaru, 3.5 mins, 23 May 2011, National University of Music, Bucharest, Romania.

Smolyar, T., Yu, S., 2011, Herdsman's song for voice and piano, Chinese Folk Song, 4 mins, 8 April 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Smolyar, T., 2011, In the Room with Rachmaninov for Piano (world premiere), Jane Hammond, 7 mins, 23 May 2011, National University of Music, Bucharest, Romania.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2011, It Ain't Necessarily So from Porgy and Bess for violin and piano, Gershwin, 5, 30 September 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., Yu, S., 2011, Lamero, saro costante for voice, violin and piano, W A Mozart, 6 mins, 8 April 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2011, My Man's Gone Now from Porgy and Bess for violin and piano, Gershwin, 5 mins, 30 September 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Smolyar, T., Yu, S., 2011, Oh! Had I Jubal's Lyre for voice and piano, G F Handel, 7 mins, 8 April 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Smolyar, T., 2011, Reminiskensa no. 2 from Tri Reminiskensa (Romanian premiere), Jaya Suprana, 3.5 mins, 23 May 2011, National University of Music, Bucharest, Romania.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2011, Spanish Dance for violin and piano, Falla, 5 mins, 30 September 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2011, Summertime from Porgy and Bess for violin and piano, Gershwin, 5 mins, 30 September 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Smolyar, T., Yu, S., 2011, Swallow for voice and piano, Chinese Folk Song, 3 mins, 8 April 2011, Melbourne Recital Centre.

Smolyar, T., 2011, Untuk Aula no. 4, Jaya Suprana, 3.5 mins, 23 May 2011, Jaya Suprana School of Performing Arts, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2010, Bohuslav Martinu Five Medrigal Stanzes for violin and piano CD 'Bridges 2', Chamber Music, Move Records, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2010, Livia Teodorescu-Ciocanea Endeavour Bells for piano CD 'Bridges 2', Solo piano, Move Records, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2010, Otmar Macha Elegie for violin and piano CD 'Bridges 2', Chamber Music, Move Records, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., 2010, Paul Constantinescu Sonatina for Violin and Piano, Chamber Music, MOVE records CD 2010, Melbourne, Australia.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2010, Petr Eben Sonatina for violin and piano CD 'Bridges 2', Chamber Music, Move Records, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2010, Romance for Violin and Piano, Thomas Reiner, MOVE records CD 2010, Melbourne, Victoria, Chamber music, MOVE records CD 2010.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2010, Thomas Reiner Trangressions and Dysphoria for violin and piano CD 'The Flowers', Chamber Music, Move Records, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2010, Tiberiu Olah piano sonatin CD 'Bridges 2', Solo piano, Move Records, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2010, Tim Buckley arranged by Thomas Reiner. Song to the Siren for violin and piano CD 'the flowers', Chamber Music, Move Records, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2009, Elegy, Otmar Macha, 9 Minutes, 20 September 2009, Monash University, Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2009, Endeavour Bells, Livia Teodorescu-Ciocanea, 10 Minutes, 15 October 2009, Clayton, Victoria.

Smolyar, T., 2009, Folk Song Without Words: A Variation on Tim Buckley's Song to the Siren for Violin and Piano, Thomas Reiner, 5 Minutes, 20 September 2009, Clayton, Victoria.

Smolyar, T., 2009, Prelude, Choral and Fugue, Cezar Franck, 20 minutes, 20 September 2009, Clayton, Victoria.

Smolyar, T., Chamberlain, R., 2009, Sonatina, Dorian Le Gallienne, 8 Minutes and 1 second, 19 June 2009, ABC Radio Broadcast, Australia.

Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., Smolyar, T., 2009, Sonatina for violin and piano, Petr Eben, 11 Minutes, 15 October 2009, Monash University, Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2009, Sonatina for violin and piano, Tiberiu Olah, 13 Minutes, 15 October 2009, Monash University, Australia.

Smolyar, T., Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., 2009, Transgressions and Dysphoria for Violin and Piano, Thomas Reiner, 5 Minutes, 20 September 2009, Clayton, Victoria.

Smolyar, T., 2008, Arutiunian-Babadjanian "Armenian Rhapsody", CD Recording, Cantor Productions, Melbourne.

Smolyar, T., 2008, Gershwin "Medley" arranged by Sean O'Boyle, CD Recording, Cantor Productions, Melbourne.

Smolyar, T., 2008, Gounod "Grand Fantasia on Themes from Faust" arranged by Commery, CD Recording, Cantor Productions, Melbourne.

Smolyar, T., 2008, Lebenskraft - concerto for piano and orchestra, Livia Teodorescu - Ciocanea, 35 minutes, 28/05/2008, Romanian National Radio.

Smolyar, T., 2008, Mackerras "Waltzing Matilda Fugue" arranged by Anthony Halliday, CD recording, Cantor Productions, Melbourne.

Smolyar, T., 2008, Polyspectralia - Trio for clarinet, violin, piano, Livia Teodorescu - Ciocanea, 10 minutes, 21/09/2008, Monash University.

Smolyar, T., 2008, Ravel "Bolero" arranged by Guy Noble, CD Recording, Cantor Productions, Melbourne.

Smolyar, T., 2008, Saint -Saens "Symphony No. 3. Organ, Final Movement, arranged by Anthony Halliday, CD Recording, Cantor Productions, Melbourne.

Smolyar, T., 2008, Strauss "Die Fledermaus Overture" arranged by Roger Heagney, CD Recording, Cantor Productions, Melbourne.

Smolyar, T., Jakopanetz, M., 2007, Concert Paraphrase on Tshaikovsky, Eugene Onegin op 81, P Pabst, 13 minutes 17 seconds, 24 Feb 2007, ABC Radio Broadcast, Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2007, Fantaisie - tableaux (Suite N1) op.5, S Rachmaninov, 25 minutes, 21 April 2007, Hobart Tasmania.

Smolyar, T., Smith, W., 2007, Rhapsody for violin and piano, A Ritchie, 9mins 30sec, 24 Feb 2007, ABC Radio Broadcast, Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2007, Sonatina for piano solo, L Teodorescu-Ciocanea, 12 minutes, 21 April 2007, Hobart Tasmania.

Smolyar, T., Jakopanetz, M., 2007, Syzygy for two pianos, J Selleck, 9 minutes 36 seconds, 24 Feb 2007, ABC Radio Broadcast, Australia.

Smolyar, T., Griffiths, D.W., Tomaskova-Nebesky, I., 2007, Trio for clarinet, piano, violin, Khachaturian, 20 minutes, 16 September 2007, Clayton Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., Smith, W., 2007, Violin Sonata N2 in G minor Op.13, E Grieg, 21 minutes 2 seconds, 8 July 2011, ABC Radio Broadcast, Australia.

Sellars, E., Smolyar, T., Murphy, F.P., 2006, "Romulus and Remus" Gemini, Livia Teoderescu - Ciocanea, 12 mins, 30 March 2006, Clayton, Vic, Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2006, Piano Trio No1 in D Minor, Arensky, 28 minutes, 3/12/06, ABC Radio Broadcast, Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2006, Sunday Live in Melbourne - Peter Tahourdin "Capriccio 1", Tahourdin, 5 minutes, 3/12/06, ABC Radio Broadcast, Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2006, Sunday Live in Melbourne - Triple Treat - M Sutherland Sonata for piano and cello, Sutherland, 14 minutes, 3/12/06, ABC Radio Broadcast, Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2005, Piano Quartet in G minor, Mozart, 20 minutes, 14 May 2005, Clayton, Vic, Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2004, European Harmonies, Dvorak, 29 minutes, October 2004, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Sellars, E., Smolyar, T., 2004, Romantica, Sitsky, 25 minutes, 11 July 2004, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2004, Trio for oboe, bassoon and piano, Poulenc, 17 minutes, 2 July 2004, Clayton, Vic, Australia.

Smolyar, T., Murphy, F.P., 2003, Bridges, , Move Records, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Handsworth, P.J., Smolyar, T., 2002, Contrastes, Ivan Jevtic, 15 mins, 5 July 2002, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2002, Friday Recital, Various, 50 minutes, 25 January 2002, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2002, Sextets for Piano and wind, Various, 60 minutes, 13 September 2002, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 2001, Harvest, Vox Australis, NSW Australia.

Smolyar, T., 1998, Carnival of the Animals, Saint - Saens, 25 mins, 9 May 1998, Clayton Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 1998, Concerto for piano and winds, Stravinsky, 30 mins, 24 October 1998, Clayton Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 1998, Dance Espagnole for violin, guitar, piano, De Falla, Kreisler, Schubert, 10 mins, 21 May 1998, Clayton Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 1998, Divertissement Op.33 for violin, guitar, piano, Stoessel, 25 mins, 21 May 1998, Clayton Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 1998, Fantasia Op.145 for guitar and piano, Castelnuovo, Tedesco, 12 mins, 21 May 1998, Clayton Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 1998, Of God and Earthly things, Schubert, Costeley, Marenzio, Weelkes, 30 mins, 29, 30 May 1998, Clayton Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 1997, 4 Jewish songs, Songs, 20 mins, 26 October 1997.

Smolyar, T., Mander, P., Puterman, G., 1997, A Celebration of French Music, Concert, 2 hours, 6 July 1997.

Smolyar, T., Puterman, G., 1997, A Celebration of French Music first Australian performance, Banyule Gallery, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 1997, Bon Voyage, Concert performance, 20 mins, 4, 5 July 1997.

Smolyar, T., 1997, Classic Piano, ABC Classics, Melbourne Vic Australia.

Smolyar, T., 1997, Concerto for piano, cello and violin, Concerto, 30 mins, 14 December 1997.

Smolyar, T., 1997, JIYM, Concert, 15 mins, 28 July 1997.

Smolyar, T., 1997, Past Times, Concert, 11 mins, 26 April 1997.

Smolyar, T., 1997, Sing Joyfully of Distant Lands, Concert, 11 mins, 30, 31 May 1997.

Smolyar, T., 1997, Songs of Hope, Songs of Sorrow, Songs of Joy, Concert with particular theme, 2 hours, 26 October 1997.

Smolyar, T., 1997, Suite on verses by Michelangelo, Monash University, Monash University.

Smolyar, T., 1997, The Songs of ... Italian/Russian/Neapolitan songs, Concert, 2 hours, 12 October 1997.

Smolyar, T., 1997, Three Shakespeare Songs, Song, 6 mins, 26 April 1997.

Smolyar, T., 1997, Trio Pro-Musica, Piano recital, 40 mins, 24 April 1997.