In 2006 I started organizing charity fund raising concerts. My intention is to share with friends my great passions in arts, while at the same time inspire people to contribute to the society. My piano teacher, Boris Zarankin, created the name “Music Heals!” Concert`s net proceeds are donated to charity organizations. I am constantly seeking others who share the same passion as me. If you are interested in working with me, don’t hesitate to send me a message. I love to hear your ideas. If you are not in Toronto, why not start your own Music Heals! from where you are!
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Special thanks to the sponsors…
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Artists…
I met Barbara through one of my piano coaches, Lawrence Pitchko. Declared “one of Toronto’s most artistic, creative and inspiring women” by the Luminato Festival in 2008, Barbara Fris continues to have a luminous and enduring career captivating her audiences on the international opera, concert and recital stages. Mimi in La Bohéme marked the singer’s opera début at the Courtney Summer Music Festival (1982). Her professional career and main-stage opera début was launched in 1984 with her portrayal of Clorinda (La Cenerentola) with the Calgary Opera. Fris first attracted national attention in 1988 when she was chosen as a Canadian winner at the 3rd Annual International Luciano Pavarotti Voice Competition (Philadelphia Opera). The following year she won the International Bel Canto Foundation Voice Competition (Chicago, Illinois), resulting in engagements for U.S.audiences in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City. Her Italian début as Amelia Boccanegra (Simon Boccanegra) at the Teatro dei Rozzi, Siena, Italy and re-engagements at the Luino Italia Summer Music Festival as Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte) followed. Ms. Fris’ career has embraced opera, operetta, musical theatre, lieder and art song for more than 25 years. Along the way, Ms. Fris has appeared in productions throughout Canada with the Canadian Opera Company, Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, Opera Theatre of Alberta, and Manitoba Opera.
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I first met Thomas through performing in a concert organized by U of T Amateur Musicians Association. That concert was held at Hart House, University of Toronto. Thomas Yu was born in Canada. His concert career has become sought-after, since winning the 17th International Competition for Outstanding Piano Amateurs, taking first prize, as well as the Press Award and Audience Award. Following his recent performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in Paris, the audience erupted with a ten-minute standing ovation. Thomas continues to delight audiences across Europe, Asia and North America. In addition to his musical endeavors, Dr. Yu obtained his DMD with Great Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan. He then went on to complete a residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, and recently completed his Masters Degree in Periodontics at the University of Toronto.
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Ilana Zarankin 
I knew Ilana through my piano teacher, Boris Zarankin. She just graduated from Voice Performance at the University of Toronto (Opera Division) in the studio of Mary Morrison. Ilana is the 2008 recipient of the Mary Morrison Award in Voice Performance. During summer of 2008 she took part in the Vancouver International Song Institute, studying with Francois Le Roux and Margo Garrett, among others. In 2007 she was awarded a prize at the Contemporary Showcase. Since the beginning of her vocal studies Ilana has also worked with Marjorie Sparks, Jean MacPhail and Russian soprano Nelly Lee. She has been featured as a Young Artist with Off Centre Music Salon and was featured in a recital of Russian songs and arias for the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Friends of the Hermitage in November 2008. She has also completed a degree in Drama and Theatre at McGill University, frequently acting in and directing Fringe festival productions.
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Elina Kelebeev 
I knew Elina through Boris Zarankin, my piano teacher. Elina completed her studies at the Moscow Conservatory School of Music and the Glenn Gould Professional School in Toronto. Her principal teachers include Alexander Mndoyants, Boris Zarankin, David Louie, and the renowned American pianist John Perry. She is a recipient of the CBC Galaxie Rising Stars Award and was also a top prizewinner at the Gottingen International Chopin Competition. She has given concerts and performed in major centres in Canada, the US, Russia, and Germany and her performances have been frequently broadcast by Canadian Radio and Television. Elina has also taken part in many festivals including the Verbier Festival and Academy and the Internationaler Klaviersommer in Bad Bertrich, where she was awarded the Audience Prize. Her recent solo engagements have included appearances in a CBC Chopin Anniversary concert and at the Canadian-German Festival.
