1. Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition
Sean R. Montera
As part of a Midwest Winner’s Tour, Prima Trio will perform in Western Michigan
Universities new Richmond Center October 17 at 8 p.m.
“This will be the first time that we have used the Richmond Center for Visual Arts as a
venue,” commented Lam-Rodriges of Fontana who booked the trio at WMU. “It’s a wonderful
space and we think it will be the perfect intimate setting for this chamber music group.”
In early May, the trio won the grand prize in the annual Fischiff National Chamber Music
Competition including prize money in the total of $10,500. 138 entries were whittled down to
the Prima Trio who beat out the Klimit Trio, a piano, violin, and cello combo and the Schulich
Quartet, who perform on two violins, a cello, and a viola. Fischiff, as part of the prize, invited
them to their Midwest Winner’s Tour and an appearance at the Emilia Romagna Music Festival
in Modena, Italy in 2008.
The artists behind this victory are Farhad Hudiyev, a violinist, Boris Allakhverdyan on
clarinet, and Anastasia Dedik on piano. They formed the trio in 2004 at the Oberlin
Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio where they continued their studies.
Since forming, the trio has been perfecting its form with performances in the Kennedy
Center and Oakton Chamber in Washington DC, the Hampden-Sydney Chamber in Virginia, and
various other locals in many states. Currently the group is touring the Midwest, setting an
imposing schedule of performances in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. Later engagements
include concerts in California, an appearance in the Cleveland Chamber Music Society, the
Emilia Romagna Festival, and a return to next years Fischoff competition.
Hudiyev came to the US in 2001 under a full scholarship from the Interlochen Arts
Academy, after distinguishing himself in his home country, Russia, and the Ukraine. On his
own, he holds a number of awards including the Golden Apple, a $1000 scholarship in 2006
from the 30th annual Glen Miller Competition, and the Neil Rabaut Composition Prize.
Allakhverdyan studied at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory under Professor
Raphael Badgararian until he graduated in 2006. Currently he is studying at the Oberlin
Conservatory and teaching at the Skyline Music School in Westlake, Ohio, as well as attending
numerous Festivals. He holds awards from the Hellam Young Artist’s Competition, the
Rozanov International Clarinet Competition, and the Rimsky-Korsakov Clarinet Competition.
Dedik, 26, was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and began playing piano when she was 5
years-old. After graduating from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 2004, she continued her
education, with a full scholarship, at the Oberlin Conservatory. Dedik’s past performances have
won her first place awards from the Frederic Chopin; Maria Juduna International; Russian
International; Lee Biennial; Rovero d’Oro International; and the Bruono and Bradshaw
International Piano Competitions, as well as the Oberlin Concerto Competition.

2. “This is the third year that Fontana has collaborated with the Fischoff National Chamber
Music Competition,” said Mary Lam-Rodriges According to her the winners of the Fischoff
Grand Prize have been featured by Fontana since 2005.
“Fontana is a frequent collaborator with other organizations who promote and encourage
the new generation of chamber musicians,” said Lam-Rodriges. “This collaboration has been an
annual project which we hope to build upon in the future. We are pleased to be able to present
the Prima Trio”
According to Fontana, Fischoff Executive Director Ann Divine is delighted to work with
Fontana to bring the trio to Kalamazoo.
“This partnership is becoming a wonderful tradition,” said Divine. “The nation’s leading
young chamber ensembles are given the opportunity to perform for a knowledgeable and
enthusiastic audience. It also helps Fischoff fulfill its mission of inspiring lives through
breathtaking performances.”
Tickets can be purchased on the Fontana website (www.fontanachambers.org), the Miller
Auditorium ticker office for $20 or $5 with a student ID. For more information on the Trio you
can visit their website at www.primatrio.com.