Biography

Valeriy Tolstov is a flutist, organist, pianist, guitarist, drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He was born in Yerevan into a family of musicians. He studied at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan (flute, organ) as well as in postgraduate studies, later at the Zurich University of the Arts (concert diploma with distinction) and in Lucerne (soloist diploma).

Awards
🏆 Prizewinner of international competitions (Kuhlau, Germany; Nicati, Kiwanis, Kiefer-Hablitzel Prize, Switzerland).
🎖 Winner of awards such as: ArmVision Music Awards, Russian World Music Awards, German Record Critics’ Award.
🌍 Concert tours to the USA, South Korea, India, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Hungary, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Chile, and more.
🎶 Participation in festivals: WOMAD, Kuhmo, Seoul Music Week, Folk Alliance International, Usadba Jazz, Rudolstadt Festival, Rajasthan RIFF, and many others.
🎬 Collaborations in film and theater: The Promise (Hollywood), Kolovrat (Mosfilm), Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Theater at Malaya Bronnaya, Moscow).
💿 Albums: The Sky Is Cloudy (Naxos), Forgotten Runes (ArtBeat), Conquest of the Pacific (Musea), Jazz Iz Christ (Serjical Strike).

Instruments
🎼 Classical: flute, organ, piano, guitar
🥁 Rhythm: percussion and ethnic drums
🌏 Ethno: over 30 rare instruments (bansuri, duduk, futujara, and more)
🔊 Modern: electronics and improvisation

Teaching Activity
Valeriy’s teaching combines the academic tradition with improvisation, ethnic traditions, and stage experience. His special strength as a pedagogue is to nurture the individuality of each child and help them find their own voice in music.

For Students
🎵 Lessons in various instruments (flute, organ, piano, guitar, drums, ethnic instruments)
🌏 Encounter with the musical cultures of the world
🎤 Improvisation and ensemble playing
✨ Development of creativity and self-confidence on stage

💬 “Music is a language that connects people. My task as a teacher is to help the child find their own voice in this language.”

👉 Having such a unique musician and pedagogue on our team is a great privilege for our school.