In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Elena Sharkova

Elena has served as a jury member at numerous national and international music festivals and competitions.

As Artistic Director of Symphony San Jose Chorale, Elena Sharkova has prepared and conducted the chorus in over 40 major choral-orchestral works. Artistic Director of the 250-voice strong Cantabile Youth Singers of Silicon Valley since 2004, Elena Sharkova conducts CYS s top performing and touring choirs, Vocalise and Ensemble, and oversees all educational and performance aspects of the program. Under her direction, Cantabile made solo appearance on the legendary stage of Carnegie Hall in 2005 and 2010 and toured Estonia, Finland, Russia, and England.

Elena Sharkova was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, where she received an undergraduate degree in music education and piano, and a graduate degree in conducting from St. Petersburg State Rimski-Korsakov Conservatory.

In 1996, Elena received her second graduate degree in conducting from Western Michigan University where she studied with Dr. Craig Arnold. She lives in San Jose with her wine-maker husband Tony Craig and their son Sasha.