Mariia Pechenova
Mariia Pechenova joined Cantare Chorale of the Sierra Foothills (California) as Artistic Director in 2014. Ms. Pechenova holds a Master’s degree in Conducting from St. Petersburg State University, Russia. Her conducting experience includes work with professional, university, college, youth and community choral groups and orchestras. Cantare Chorale has thrived under her leadership which is evidenced by the several appearances on the legendary stage of Carnegie Hall, New York in 2016 and 2018.
Ms. Pechenova is Music Professor of Vocal and Choral Program at Folsom Lake College, CA, and pianist and organist for traditional and contemporary services at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in El Dorado Hills, CA. Ms. Pechenova is a leading local authority in vocal and choral training and performing arts. Since 2017, Ms. Pechenova has served as a jury member and clinician at the Golden Empire Music Festival and Competition in Sacramento, CA.
For over 15 years, Ms. Pechenova performed solo recitals and toured with St. Petersburg's Music Theater as soprano soloist in concert halls and theaters in Russia and Europe. Ms. Pechenova has worked internationally with renowned artists Vladimir Miller, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Elena Obraztsova and symphony conductors Yuri Temirkanov, Symphony Orchestra of D.D. Shostakovich St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonic Concert Hall; Saulius Sondeckis, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra; Alexander Sladkovsky and Alexander Tchernushenko St. Petersburg’s Capella Symphony Orchestra; Andreas Spörri, Orchestra of the State Hermitage Museum "Saint Petersburg Camerata; Anatoly Rybalko, Symphony Orchestra of the Karelian State Philharmonic. She has been awarded the title of “Laureate”, and has been the winner of the “Grand Prix” and “First Prize” at numerous European and Russian competitions.
Ms. Pechenova serves on Sacramento Valley Choral Coalition’s Board of Directors, is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Chorus America, League of American Orchestras (LAO), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and a member of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM).
Ms. Pechenova was awarded with inaugural scholarship from the Dr. Charles C. Hirt Scholarship Award for Professional Development fund, ACDA. In 2017, she attended the DCINY Mentoring Program: Orchestral Conducting in New York City, where she studied with national leaders in conducting pedagogy Dr. Craig Jessop, Dr. Jonathan Griffith, and Michael Adelson. In July 2017, Ms. Pechenova attended Chorus America Conducting Academy in California State University, Fullerton, where she studied with John Alexander, Lucinda Carver, David Hayes, Duain Wolfe, and Robert Istad and worked with highly skilled singers from the Pacific Chorale and the University Singers of California State University and Southern California professional orchestra musicians.
In 2019, for bringing excellence in music to El Dorado County, the Sacramento region and beyond and promoting the growth and development of the choral and orchestral performances as Artistic Director of Cantare Chorale and Music Professor at Folsom Lake College, Ms. Pechenova received Certificate of Recognition from El Dorado County, Certificate of Special Recognition from Tom McClintock member of the Congress of the United States and was awarded with the Flag of the United States of America flown over the United States Capitol in recognition of her U.S. Citizenship.
“From madrigals to contemporary music, folk tunes and jazz, my musical ambition lies in the great master works. My primary purpose is always to encourage and inspire the group I am working with to achieve their musical goals beyond their expectations.”
–Mariia Pechenova
