Sophie Zakir

Sophie's thumbnail
The opera singer Sophie Zakir was born in
Urumqi (China) and began her studies as a lyric soprano at the Central National Universaty of Beijing (Peking) where she successfully completed her studies in 1984.

Sophie Zakir then appeared as a soloist from 1984 to 1989 in the "Central Music Joint Stock Company" in the
Uighur autonomic district, Urumqi (China).

From 1990 to1993 she deepened her art education in the form of postgraduate studies at the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory under Prof. B. Zhilusbaev and Prof. Rosa Dzhamanovna in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

From 1993 to 1996 she performed as a oper singer at the State Music Theater in Urumqi and the Opera House in Almaty.

In August 2001, she began to build her repertoire as a dramatic coloratura soprano.

By participating in international master classes and private studies Mrs. Zakir developed herself further.

Sopie Zakir has also been a successful prize winner in several international competitions including: "International Marian Anderson Vocal Arts Competition" (USA), "International Vocal Arts Competition" (Russia), "Vocal Arts Competition Bayseitova" (Kazakhstan).

On the concert stage she sang and performed as a lyric soprano and later as a dramatic coloratura soprano in many international cities
including Moscow, Kaliningrad, Omsk (Russia), Beijing, Urumqi (China), Almaty, Chimkent (Kazakhstan), Washington DC, New York (USA), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Prague (Czech Republic), Munich (Germany), Brussels (Belgium), Vienna, Salzburg (Austria), Turkey (Istanbul), Zurich (Switzerland).

Her solo concerts were broadcast live on television and radio. The last solo concerts of Sophie in China and Kazakhstan were attended by several thousands of her fans.

The current repertoire of Sophie Zakir includes classic songs, chamber music and operas from the period ranging from Baroque to Mozart, to the music of the early 20th Century, and ancient Chinese, Uighur, Kazakh and Uzbek opera and folk songs.

In addition to her active opera and concert career Mrs. Zakir works as a vocal coach.

She speaks the languages German, Chinese, Russian, Uyghur, Kazakh and Turkish.