Izumi Pianoduo

  This duo was formed in 2004. Kiyotaka Izumi was born in 1977 in Tokyo, Japan. In 1995 he graduated from "The Music High School Attached to the Faculty of Music, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music". Polina Vhernova was born in Alma-Ata/USSR in 1981. She graduated from Serebryakov Institute of Arts, Volgograd/Russia in 2000.

  Polina became the laureate of the all-Russian competition "New names". She played with Volgograd academic symphonic orchestra. She took part in the festival "The dates of Slavic culture" in Czech Republic where she has got a diploma for the best interpretation of the work of J.S. Bach. In 2002 Polina came to study to the "Royal Flemish Conservatory" of Antwerp, Belgium with Eliane Rodrigues. In 2006 Polina received the diploma "Master of Music". In 2008 she received the diploma "Postgraduate - Concert Soloist" from the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp with 'High Distinction'

  Since 1997 Kiyotaka has been studying at the "Royal Flemish Conservatory" in Antwerp, Belgium, under the supervision of Professor Levente Kende and Heidi Hendrickx. He performed at concerts such as the "International Chopin Festival" in Ghent and the "Royal Gala Concert" for the Prince and Princess of Belgium. He played with orchestras such as the "National Orchestra of Belgium"(Prokofiev), "Hermes Ensemble"(Stravinsky), "Concert festival Orchestre"(Grieg) and the "Orchestra of the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp" (Beethovan).   Kiyotaka has won several prizes at international competitions, including the "Young Virtuoso" competition (1998), the "International EPTA Competition for piano-duo"(1999), where he also received the "SABAM-Prize", the "International Emmanuel Durlet competition" where he was awarded the special prize for "Best interpretation of a work by Emmanuel Durlet"(2002), the "International Piano Competition Vila de Capdepera", Spain, special prize for "Best interpretation of music by a Balearic Island Composer" (2005).   In 2002 Kiyotaka received the diploma "Master of Music" from the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp with 'Highest Distinction' for piano. In 2004 he recorded a CD with works of F. Chopin and E. Durlet. These pieces are often broadcast by Radio VRT/KLARA, Belgium. In 2005 he had finished the Royal Conservatory of Brussels/Belgium (Specialisation Instrument-Chamber music) with Boyan Vodenitcharov.   In 2008 he received the diploma "Postgraduate - Concert Soloist" from the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp with 'Highest Distinction'. In 2009 he recorded his second CD with "Lyric pieces" of E. Grieg. Kiyotaka is piano professor at the Municipal Academy of Music and Word in Borgerhout and Willebroek. He is also piano accompanist at the Royal Flemish Conservatoire of Music in Antwerp.

  In January 2005 the duo became the 3rd laureate of the "International Maria Yudina competition" in Sint-Petersburg/Russia. In 2008 the duo won the 1st prize at the "International competition - Un Ricetto in Musica" in Candelo/Italy. The duo gives concerts in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy and Japan.