Svetlana Kundish (Israel/Austria; voice)

soprano, was born in 1982 in the Ukraine, and began to study music at the age of seven. In 1995 she emigrated with her family to Israel, where she continued to study music at the Ironi Arts High School in Tel Aviv, concentrating on voice and piano. Following graduation, she began an intensive vocal training with Ella Akritova, a distinguished singer and for many years professor at the conservatory in Kiev. In 2001, Svetlana began to study Yiddish music in the Master Class of Nehama Lifshitz, and in 2003, she studied musicology at the University of Tel Aviv, graduating in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree.
Svetlana performs concerts throughout Israel and in other countries, including a recent appearance in St. Petersburg. In 2000, 2004 and 2006 she held a scholarship from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, and in 2007 from the Tsvi and Ofra Meiter Family Foundation.
Her repertoire reaches from the Baroque through 20th century and contemporary works. In 2007, Svetlana was invited to perform in the Ukraine. She is a member of the "Group for New Music" in Israel, dedicated to the music of prewar composers and those interred in Terezin. In 2007, Svetlana decided to continue her training outside of Israel. She was invited by Professor Yuri Kokezey to Vienna, where she became his student at the Prayner Conservatory. In 2008, she won the first prize at the international vocal competition "The Golden Hanukkia" in Berlin. In May, 2009, she sang the role of Gabriel in Haydn's oratoria "The Creation," accompanied by the choir and orchestra of the Josef Haydn Musikverein. Svetlana Kundish has appeared as a soloist of both classical and Jewish vocal repertoire in many European countries.


Song example
„A Vayser Shmeterling” (Music: Krzysztof Dobrek / Lyrics: Roman Grinberg)