Last Saturday, April 5, the XI International Vocal Competition "Crystal April - 2025" was held at the Center for Choreographic Art of Penza, which is held under the patronage of the International Union of Musicians and the City Department of Culture. According to tradition, soloists and groups of the vocal studio of the Institute of International Cooperation took part in the musical competition.

The performances of the participants were assessed by a highly professional jury, which included prominent figures in culture and the arts: Oksana Bogacheva, teacher of the Institute of Arts of Saratov State University named after N.G. Chernyshevsky, member of the Federation of Teachers of Vocal Art of the Russian Federation (Saratov); Vyacheslav Kulagin, teacher of Samara Music College named after D.G. Shatalov, director of the private vocal school "Vocal Class", vocal teacher of the highest category (Samara); Elena Pykova, Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation, teacher of the Penza College of Arts; Svetlana Turomshina, Honored Worker of Culture of the Penza Region, Chairman of the Penza Regional Branch of the International Union of Musicians.

The 2nd degree laureates were soloists Saakanush Muradyan (Armenia) and Ketul Patel (India), the 1st degree laureates were the duet of Saakanush Muradyan and Maria Melnikova, as well as soloist Shlok Kshirsagar (India). The vocal group HarmoniX, boy band from India, became the winner of the Grand Prix.

Maria Melnikova, head of the vocal studio of the Institute of International Cooperation, specialist of the Student Affairs Department, member of the Federation of teachers of vocal art of the Russian Federation, was awarded a letter of gratitude for high pedagogical skills and a special prize of the Union of musical figures of the Penza region:

"Every year "Crystal April" becomes an excellent platform for our students to exchange experience, demonstrate their talent and gives the opportunity to please the audience with creativity. We express words of gratitude to the experts for the high assessment, support and warm words addressed to our creative team."

The competition performances of international students do not end there: on April 9, the vocal studio of the Institute of International Cooperation will present its work to the audience as part of the Student Spring festival, and on April 11, Saakanush Muradyan and Shlok Kshirsagar will compete for victory in the regional student music competition Univervision 2025.