Welcome Message from Music Director

We believe that in years gone by classical music, with all its genres, was what rock, pop and modern music is today. The pure joy and excitement of listening to the music has been lost and it has become a somewhat more serious indulgence.

Attending classical music performances has become, in many respects, an elitist’s pastime. Cost and to a lesser extent the programming, has detracted from the music being available to the broader community. Generally the audience is required to travel to a Concert Hall or similar venue of an evening, to be suitably attired and understand the etiquette surrounding the performance.

Cappuccino Concerts team recruits top musicians both professional and students reproducing the friendly cheerful atmosphere of 19th century European house concerts and the classical performances at public venues. All our concerts feature an expansive repertoire of classical music, accompanied by entertaining commentaries, all in the comfortable and friendly environment. It is a great opportunity to raise awareness of classical music and also a great way to introduce children to classical music and music in general.

Welcome to our Cappuccino Concerts performances, and many thanks for your interest and support of our concept of bringing classical music back into our daily lives!

Also we would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our principal sponsor Zenith Music, our sponsors and event partners! Our concerts would not be possible without your support!

We are currently looking for new sponsors and partners who would like to help us to promote and develop classical music events in Australia. Opportunities also exist for Corporate Sponsorship for which we can offer website and social publicity, advertising in our programmes and complimentary tickets for all Cappuccino Concerts performances and special events.

 

 For further information on all sponsorship opportunities please contact Music Director Irina Vasileva online using our CONTACT US page or contact us by mail - our mailing address is: PO Box 1280 SUBIACO WA 6904 

 

By supporting us you are helping to bring the gift of classical music to a broader audience for the enjoyment of everyone!

Founders and Directors

 

 

  

 

Irina Vasileva

As a recitalist and soloist, as well as chamber musician and accompanist, Irina has participated in various festivals, international masterclasses and chamber music projects. Being highly involved in the education and outreach od classical music, Irina also teaches piano at the Western Academy of Performing Arts.

Born in Moscow, Russia, Irina studied at the State Music School then graduated from Moscow Musical College named after Sergei Prokofiev. In 1999 she entered the Ukraine State Conservatory of Music where she studied under Professor Tatiana Verkina. Soon Irina was invited to study in Moscow with the renowned Professor Emmanuil Monaszon, who raised more than hundred world-renowned pianists. He was taught by Nikolai Egumnov, one of the luminaries of the Russian piano school, pupil of Alexander Siloti, who had been taught by Franz Liszt himself.

After her first visit to Australia in 2000, Irina decided to move here in 2003. She also holds a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from the UWA (University of Western Australia).

Since 2009, Irina has been working on the Cappuccino Concerts concept, which aims to bring new life and perspective to classical music.

 

  

 

Tina Vassiliev-Kern

Moscow-born Australian journalist, broadcaster and producer, Tina has been working with SBS Corporation, Australia's major multicultural and multilingual broadcaster, for many years. MSc in Economics.

Tina is effectively contribute to a number of Australian and Russian magazines (e g “Popular Mechanics”, “Australian Mosaics”, “Inostrannaya Literatura”, "Benefactor and World"). Laureate of the 1st Australian Festival of Russian literature "Antipodes" for her literary translation of the Kenneth Cook's short stories book.

Valentina comes from an artistic family. Her gr gr grandfather, Hermann von Kern was a court painter at the Emperor Franz Josef court in Vienna. Being a very good pianist he played a lot together with his friend, famous composer Franz Liszt. Three of his children became professional musicians (piano, cello, violin). Having a classical music education (singing and piano), Tina was a member of the Moscow State University's “Camerata” ensemble which repertoire included the best examples of European and Russian sacred music and 18th century songs and vivat chants, and always been interested in arts, music and literature.

In 2010 became a co-founder and Creative Director of "Cappuccino Concerts" to promote and develop the new classical music concept.

 

 

 

 

  

♫ ...I really enjoyed the concert at the Grove yesterday. I think you have the right formula – high quality musicians, not to esoteric repertoire, good venues, good service, professionally informal and the right pricing. If I can get my wife to go and enjoy them then you have achieved. I’ll pass the word around.

♫ .  ..I didn't have such a good time here in Australia for ages. Many thanks to Viola Dana for your awesome performance! And many thanks to you guys from the Cappuccino Concerts team for the 'Bodhi Beats' concerts!...  

♫ ...Dear Irina, Thank you so much, it was absolutely wonderful esp to be so near the harpist. They were so so good and I really appreciated the way they put it all together - so entertaining. Please continue to do what you're doing as I think this is a gap in Perth's music scene...

♫ ...I have only really just caught up with what you are doing here - the Cappucino Concerts are exactly what I've been saying Perth needs for the last ten years! It's great to see you are doing concerts for children too...especially with Danielle, who is just wonderful! Congratulations on such a fabulous venture...I know what it takes to set up something like this...

♫ ...The ‘commentary’ was enjoyable because it is informative and humorous. For example, I never knew the little story about Brahms preferring to drink a ‘bottle of Bach’ instead of Brahms. This light-hearted aspect is important to set the cappuccino mood and to take things away from the highbrow snobbery you are trying to avoid...

♫  ...I would like to see an oboe added so we can believe that we are truly in cappuccino heaven – oboe, violin, cello and piano. Wow! Even Himself Upstairs would stop looking so judgemental and start clapping!..