Sonya Belousova

Sonya Belousova

Belousova performing the piano pieces by Grammy Award winner Jorge Calandrelli at the 2014 Golden Score Awards
Background information
Born (1990-02-04) February 4, 1990
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Genres Film score, contemporary classical, classical, electronic, contemporary, pop
Occupation(s) Composer, pianist, recording artist
Associated acts Jorge Calandrelli, Player Piano, Stan Lee
Website SonyaBelousova.com

Sonya Belousova (born February 4, 1990) is a Russian-born composer, pianist and recording artist who resides and works in Los Angeles, California. Belousova is a winner of international composition and piano competitions.[1] Recognized as a child prodigy, at the age of 13 years Belousova was awarded with the Russian Ministry of Culture Award for her outstanding achievements in music composition.[2][3]

She has gained a wide public recognition for her award winning project Player Piano created in collaboration with director and screenwriter Tom Grey (first introduced as Cosplay Piano from the executive producer Stan Lee of Marvel Comics).[4] To date Player Piano has totaled over 6,5 million views and received an array of awards and honors with Belousova performing her original solo piano arrangements at her 2013 San Diego Comic Con panel with Stan Lee.[5][6]

Belousova has scored films that premiered at Tribeca Film Festival,[7][8] Cannes International Film Festival,[9] Melbourne International Animation Festival,[10] Chicago International Children’s Film Festival,[11] Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival,[12][13] etc. She is also known for her work with the Festival Ballet Providence having been commissioned by the company to write two original ballets in collaboration with choreographer Viktor Plotnikov.[14][15]

Belousova has performed in the largest venues of both her native Russia and the United States, including the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory,[16] Grand Hall of Saint Petersburg Philharmonia,[17] Chamber Hall of Saint Petersburg Philharmonia,[18] Saint Petersburg State Capella Concert Hall,[19] Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Skirball Cultural Center,[20] Los Angeles Convention Center[21] and San Diego Convention Center.[6]

She is also known for her collaboration with 27 time Grammy 2 time Academy Award nominated producer and arranger Jorge Calandrelli, who is currently producing her debut solo piano album.[22]  

Early life and education

Belousova was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia. She began her piano studies at the age of 5 and composition at the age of 10 under the instruction of renowned composer Zhanna Metallidi.[23] At the age of 8 she made her debut at the stage of Chamber Hall of Saint Petersburg Philharmonia. At the age of 12 Belousova received a special prize for her original compositions at the Sergei Slonimsky Piano And Composition Competition.[24] At the age of 13 Belousova won the International Valery Gavrilin Composition Competition with acclaimed composer Andrey Petrov, head of the jury and the St-Petersburg Union of Composers, personally awarding her with the prize.[24] Belousova won the competition twice, in 2003 and 2004.[24] Recognized as a child prodigy, in 2003 Belousova received the Russian Ministry of Culture Award for her outstanding achievements in music composition.[2] In 2003 she participated in the Sound & Synthesis International Music Festival.[24] In 2004 she won the first prize at the International Anton Rubinstein Piano Competition Miniatures In Russian Music.[24]

Belousova continued her training in Moscow where she was accepted to Gnessin State Musical College at the age of 15. She received a dual bachelor’s degree in music composition and piano performance. At the age of 17 she won the first prize at the Rodion Shchedrin Piano And Composition Competition.[25] Belousova personally met with Maestro Shchedrin and his wife legendary ballerina Maya Plisetskaya as well as performed her award winning composition at the stage of the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory.[16]

Following her graduation Belousova was accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston where she received her degree in film scoring. Belousova also holds a master’s degree in film scoring at the University of California, Los Angeles.[26] 

Professional career

Film scores

Belousova has written and produced scores for films that premiered at Cannes International Film Festival,[9] Tribeca Film Festival,[7][8] Melbourne International Animation Festival,[10] Chicago International Children’s Film Festival,[11] Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival,[12][13] etc. She recently composed the music for How Sarah Got Her Wings (aka Heaven Sent) directed by Gary Entin and Edmund Entin starring Teen Choice Award nominee Derek Theler and Lindsey Gort;[27] Christmas Trade (aka Christmas Switch) starring MTV Movie Award winner William Baldwin and nominees Denise Richards and Tom Arnold;[28] and Aztec Blood (TV pilot) written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet and directed by Clara Mamet starring Emmy Award nominee Rob Riggle, Rebecca Pidgeon and John Pirruccello.[29] She is also known to be frequently collaborating with multi regional Emmy Award winning director Bobby Grubic.[30]

Belousova contributed music for Two-Bit Waltz starring Academy Award nominees William H. Macy and David Paymer, Rebecca Pidgeon, Clara Mamet and Jared Gilman, directed by Clara Mamet from executive producer David Mamet;[31][32] and The Boat Builder starring Emmy Award winner Christopher Lloyd and Golden Globe nominee Jane Kaczmarek.[33] 

As a recording artist Sonya collaborated with composer Daniel Licht on Dexter Season 7 soundtrack,[34] Emmy Award winner Edward Shearmur on documentary Spinning Plates;[35] Giona Ostinelli on Two-Bit Waltz and The Boat Builder;[7][36] and Jorge Calandrelli on Mario Frangoulis’s upcoming album Tales of Christmas.[37]

Belousova at the premiere of Orchis by the Festival Ballet Providence

Ballet

In 2013 Belousova was commissioned by the Festival Ballet Providence, Rhode Island’s premiere professional ballet company, to write music for the new ballet Orchis in collaboration with award winning choreographer Viktor Plotnikov.

I listen to the music, what it tells me…and I have the piece, — Plotnikov, to Rhode Island Public Radio.[14]

The ballet premiered on March 8, 2013 at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium along with Agon by Igor Stravinsky.[38] Described as "a big hit"[39] and "stunning collaboration"[40] Orchis returned to stage again the following season as a part of the Boundless Plotnkov program.[41] "Audiences were blown away by the eccentric, wide range of Sonya Belousova's original score, striking a rich parallel to Viktor Plotnikov’s unique choreography".[42] In recognition of Belousova’s many achievements as a composer and pianist "both in her native Russia and throughout the international music world", she received an honorary citation from the Mayor of Providence.[43] 

In 2014 Belousova was commissioned for another ballet, Surrogate. It premiered on November 1, 2014 as part of the Festival Ballet’s Up Close On Hope series.[44] "Accompanied by Sonya Belousova’s techno sounding original score, this thought-provoking piece questions whether we have all become 'surrogates,' unable to think and act for ourselves. Wearing tutus, three female dancers are accompanied by their male partners who move them about by grabbing hold of their ponytails." — Motif Magazine, describing the ballet.[45]

Player Piano

Belousova at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con

Belousova received a wide public recognition for her music project Player Piano created in collaboration with director and screenwriter Tom Grey. Player Piano was first introduced in 2013 as Cosplay Piano from executive producer Stan Lee on Stan Lee’s World of Heroes YouTube Channel.[4] In late 2014 due to World of Heroes discontinuing their channel activity, Belousova and Grey formed Player Piano. To date Player Piano has totaled over 6,5 million views,[5] received a wide media coverage, was nominated for a Streamy Award[46] and won numerous Telly,[47] International Academy of Web Television[48][49] and Geekie Awards.[50]

Belousova composes, produces and performs her original arrangements of popular film, television and video game scores ranging from virtuosic solo piano to larger ensembles, often reimagining the original music themes and giving them "a new unique spin".[51] Grey directs and produces the music videos. 

In an interview with The Mary Sue Belousova said:

Just covering note-by-note someone’s music doesn’t particularly appeal to me as a composer. When our fans click on our video, they never know what to expect from it. It’s like opening a present, there’s an element of surprise. Moreover, I’m incredibly happy to have Tom as my partner in Player Piano. It’s just a perfect combination of me being in charge of all the music production and him dealing with all the video aspects to achieve great results.[52]

In 2013 Belousova appeared at the San Diego Comic Con and performed her original solo piano arrangements, which opened her panel with Stan Lee.[6][53] In 2014 she was invited as a soloist to perform her arrangements for a 70-piece orchestra, 30-piece choir featuring solo piano at a sold out crowd at the Anime Expo.[52][54]

Player Piano has been widely covered by various media outlets including MTV,[55] Forbes,[56] The Examiner, USA Today,[57] Entertainment Weekly,[58] The Huffington Post,[59] Mashable,[60] Daily Dot,[61] CNET,[62] Digital Trends,[25] Moviepilot,[63] Classical MPR,[64] Jezebel,[65] etc.

Collaboration with Jorge Calandrelli

Belousova with producer and arranger Jorge Calandrelli and composer Giona Ostinelli at the DMI Grammy Party

Belousova is known for her collaboration with 27 time Grammy 2 time Academy Award nominated producer, arranger and composer Jorge Calandrelli who described her as "one of the most talented young musicians I have met".[66] Currently Calandrelli is producing Belousova’s album, which features her performing the piano pieces written by Maestro Calandrelli.[22] The album will also include Belousova’s duet with Tom Ranier performing Calandrelli’s famous concerto for jazz clarinet.[67] The recording sessions have begun at Capitol Records.

Belousova first collaborated with Calandrelli on Roberto Iarussi’s 2013 Album I Believe recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra.[68] Belousova contributed electronic arrangements for the album.[69] In 2014 Belousova arranged and orchestrated Jingle Bells, Panis Angelicus and All Creatures of God for the upcoming Mario Frangoulis’s album Tales of Christmas, as well as provided electronic arrangements for Carpe Diem and Nature Boy. The album was recorded by the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios and features duets with Grammy Award winners Sarah Brightman and Marilyn Horne, and George Perris.[70] Belousova is also featured on the album as a pianist for Jingle Bells and Panis Angelicus.[37]

In 2014 Belousova performed Calandrelli’s piano pieces at the ASMAC Golden Score Awards honoring Maestro Calandrelli and Academy Award winning composer Michael Giacchino. Special guests for the event included: Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval, Grammy winner Walter Afanasieff, Grammy winner Kenny G, Grammy nominee Christian Jacob, Grammy nominee Calabria Foti, Tom Ranier, etc.[20]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result
2015 Telly Award Best Use of Music (Player Piano) won[47]
2015 Telly Award Best Music Video/Concert (Player Piano) won[47]
2015 Telly Award Best Online Video — Entertainment (Player Piano) won[47]
2015 Telly Award Best Web Series (Player Piano) won[47]
2015 Telly Award Best Entertainment (Player Piano) won[47]
2015 Telly Award Best Directing (Player Piano) won[47]
2015 International Academy of Web Television Award Best Sound (Player Piano) won[49]
2015 International Academy of Web Television Award Best Variety Series (Player Piano) won[49]
2015 International Academy of Web Television Award Best Directing — Non Fiction (Player Piano) won[49]
2015 International Academy of Web Television Award Best Cinematography (Player Piano) won[49]
2015 Streamy Award Best Independent Series (Player Piano) nominated[46]
2015 Geekie Award Best Series Non-Scripted (Player Piano) nominated[71]
2014 International Academy of Web Television Award Best New Webseries (Cosplay Piano) won[72]
2013 Geekie Award Best Webseries (Cosplay Piano) won[50]
2007 Rodion Shchedrin Piano And Composition Competition N/A won[16]
2005 International Valery Gavrilin Composition Competition I Am A Composer Electronic And Digital Music won[23]
2004 International Valery Gavrilin Composition Competition I Am A Composer Concert Music won[23]
2004 International Anton Rubinstein Piano Competition Miniatures In Russian Music N/A won[24]
2003 Russian Ministry of Culture Award N/A won[23]
2003 International Valery Gavrilin Composition Competition I Am A Composer Concert Music won[23]
2003 Sound & Synthesis International Music Festival  N/A participated[24]
2002 Sergei Slonimsky Piano And Composition Competition Little Pianist And Composer N/A Special Prize for Best Original Compositions[24]

Works

Films and television

Year Title Director/Creator Production Company/Network
2015 How Sarah Got Her Wings Gary Entin and Edmund Entin MarVista Entertainment
2015 Christmas Trade Joel Souza Brand Inc. Entertainment
2015 The Boat Builder (composer — additional music, featured soloist) Arnold Grossman Blue Creek Pictures, Reunion Films
2015 The Massively Mixed-Up Middle School Mystery (composer — additional music) Will Eisenberg and Aaron Eisenberg Principato-Young Entertainment, Nickelodeon
2015 Final Stop (short film) Bobby Grubic Artonix Studios
2015 The Remains (featured soloist) Thomas Della Bella Diablo Entertainment, EBF Productions
2014 Aztec Blood (TV pilot) Clara Mamet EBF Productions
2014 Indigenous (composer — additional music) Alastair Orr Kilburn Media
2014 Two-Bit Waltz (composer — additional music, conductor, featured soloist) Clara Mamet EBF Productions
2014 Fit To Be Tied (short film) Bobby Grubic Artonix Studios
2014 The Parting Shot (short film) Bobby Grubic Artonix Studios
2014 Greater Goode (short film) Jordan Wall Constantinos Studios
2014 The Enigma of David Ellingham (short film) John-Paul Panelli John-Paul Panelli
2013 Little Big Hero (animated short film) Nirali Somaia Nirali Somaia
2013 Trapped (short film) Robert Phelps Artonix Studios
2013 Killer Talent (short film) Paulina Plazas CineBuff Productions
2013 Terminus (short film) Barnett Brettler Barnett Brettler
2012 Dexter Season 7 (featured soloist) James Manos Jr. Showtime Networks
2012 Spinning Plates (orchestrator, featured soloist) Joseph Levy Chaos Theory Entertainment
2012 Whale Song (animated short film) Nirali Somaia Nirali Somaia
2012 Change To Spare (short film) Bobby Grubic Artonix Studios
2012 Band of Sisters (orchestrator) Mary Fishman Mary Fishman
2012 Frigid (short film) Jack Meggers Jack Meggers
2012 The Spirit of 4/20 (short film) Nick Weiss MTV Films

Ballet

Premiere Title Choreographer Company Artistic Director
November 1, 2014 Surrogate Viktor Plotnikov Festival Ballet Providence Mihailo Djuric
March 8, 2013 Orchis Viktor Plotnikov Festival Ballet Providence Mihailo Djuric

Albums

Year Title Artist Producer
2016 TBD Sonya Belousova Jorge Calandrelli
2015 Player Piano Volume I Sonya Belousova Sonya Belousova, Player Studios
2013 Orchis (Original Score From The Ballet) Sonya Belousova Sonya Belousova
2013 Cosplay Piano Volume I Sonya Belousova Sonya Belousova, Stan Lee's World of Heroes

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External links

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