Department of Vocal Arts

HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT
On October 1, 1944, following the model of the Moscow and Leningrad conservatories, the Kurmangazy Almaty Conservatory was founded, and within it the Department of Solo Singing was established. During the years of the Great Patriotic War, many outstanding figures of art were evacuated from Moscow to Almaty.

The first faculty members of the department included A.M. Kurganov, S.S. Korobov, A.V. Gutsalovskaya, A.K. Mizonov, S.S. Kotlyar, N.F. Nagulina, N.N. Samyshina and others. Their work in Kazakhstan significantly influenced the formation of the phenomenon of the new Kazakh culture, which in a short time absorbed the cultural traditions of Europe through the prism of Russian culture, while preserving its national identity.

Among the first graduates of the department were B.B. Zhilisbayev, R.U. Zhamanova, Y.B. Serkebayev, B.A. Tulegenova, N.A. Sharipova, N.D. Yumasheva, K.I. Boboshko, who later formed a united teaching staff of like-minded colleagues, carrying out creative, pedagogical, and scientific-methodological work at the highest professional level.

Over 80 years of fruitful activity, the Department of Solo Singing has trained a whole galaxy of opera singers, philharmonic soloists, choir artists of various musical ensembles, and teachers of solo singing at secondary and higher musical institutions. Among its graduates are 5 People’s Artists of the USSR, about 50 People’s Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and more than 500 laureates and diploma winners of various international vocal competitions.

At present, the department is honored to have the People’s Artist of the USSR, Professor B.A. Tulegenova, working as a pedagogical consultant. Since 2021, the head of the “Vocal Art” Department has been Associate Professor T.K. Beknazarova. Under her leadership work: People’s Artist of Mongolia, Professor Kabylyash Abykei-uly, People’s Artists of Kazakhstan T.P. Kuzenbaev and Zh.T. Baspakova, Honored Workers of the Republic of Kazakhstan U.M. Kenzhebekov, M.K. Chalabayev, B.K. Zhubayeva, B.S. Bukenov, D.M. Khamzina, Associate Professors Zh.M. Mekenbayeva, S.A. Brinyuk, G.A. Nurgaliyeva, T.A. Smailova, S.A. Nurgaliyeva, A.A. Yusupova, Senior Lecturers Zh. Bayneshov, I.U. Sadykova, Zh.K. Amanova, N.T. Kuldanov, Y.Kh. Dyussebaev, T.B. Rakhmetov, S.Kh. Blagodarnaya, and lecturers G.K. Sakyshova, D.B. Akimbayeva, B.T. Tulegenova, F. Sultanov and others.

Among the department’s talented graduates are such prominent artists as Shakhimardan Abilov, Alibek Dnishev, Nurzhamal Usembayeva, Maira Mukhamedkyzy, Murat Shalabayev, Zhamilya Baspakova, Gulzat Daurbayeva, Balapan Zhubayeva, Talgat Musabayev, Andrey Tregubenko, Talgat Kuzenbaev, Medet Chotabayev, Kayyrzhan Zholdybayev, Dina Khamzina, Zhupar Gabdullina, Lada Kysykova, Anastasia Kozhukharova, Sara Naiman, Zhamilya Zharkymbayeva, Maksat Samatov, Dinmukhamed Koshkinbayev, Nurgalym Amanbay and many others.

Throughout its long history, the department has developed valuable pedagogical principles, which have been reflected in the methodological works of its faculty. An academic curriculum and a model program with repertoire lists for all voice types have been created, along with methodological recommendations.

The senior generation of teachers provides methodological guidance to young faculty members. Wise mentors ignite the spark of students’ talent into the flame of a creative personality, warming young souls with their love and kindness, while remaining strict and demanding teachers. Graduates, together with the knowledge and skills of vocal performance culture, also carry with them love, loyalty, and respect for their teachers.

Decades of productive work by the department have formed a solid foundation for the development of the modern national vocal school and its achievements in Kazakhstan and beyond.

Tanagul Beknazarova – Head of the Department, Associate Professor

Avkhiy Khavlash – People's Artist of Mongolia, Honored worker of Kazakhstan, Professor

Ulan Kenzhebekov – Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Associate Professor

Torgyn Smailova – Associate Professor

Zhumakiz Mekenbayeva – Associate Professor

Gulnara Nurgaliyeva – Associate Professor

Brinyuk Snezhana – Associate Professor

Saule Nurgaliyeva – Associate Professor

Jamilya Baspakova – People's Artist of Kazakhstan, Honored worker of Uzbekistan, Senior Lecturer

Zhenis Bayneshov – Senior Lecturer

Talgat Kuzembayev – People's Artist of Kazakhstan, Senior Lecturer

Balapan Zhubayeva – Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Senior Lecturer

Zhadra Amanova – Senior Lecturer

Yelnur Dyussebayev – Senior Lecturer

Inna Sadykova – Senior Lecturer

Adalyat Yussupova – MBA, Associate Professor

Sofiyana Blagodarnay – MA, Senior Lecturer

Murat Chalabayev – Honored Artist of Kazakhstan, Senior Lecturer

Ilyas Artagaliyev – MA, Lecturer

Bolatbek Bukenov – Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Senior Lecturer

Bibigul Tulegenova – People's Artist of the USSR, Professor, Consultant

Gulnar Sakyshova – MA, Lecturer

Takhaui Rakhmetov – MA, Lecturer

Dina Khamzina – Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Lecturer

Khaleed Nuraliyev – Lecturer

Kuanysh Ismailov – Lecturer

Nurzhan Bazhenov – Lecturer

Baluan Berkenov – MA, Lecturer

Bibigul Tulegenova – MA, Lecturer

Andrey Tregubenko – Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Lecturer

Madina Yerlanova – MA, Lecturer

Larissa Nefedova – MA, Lecturer