Alexander Ponomarev

Alexander Ponomarev, or Александр Пономарев (1938 — 2012) was a Soviet-Russian conductor and choirmaster, founder and director of Children's Chorus Studio «Vesna», and Meritorious Artist of the RSFSR (1984). He was born and raised in the officer's family, and while serving in the military orchestra, he decided to pursue a professional career in music. Ponomarev graduated from the Moscow Conservatory's Music School in 1966, and from the Kharkov Institute of Arts in 1971. Alexander Ponomarev established his children's choir and vocal studio 'Vesna' (Весна, which means 'spring' in Russian) in 1965, and served as an artistic director for over 45 years.