Bio
Two musicians from different backgrounds meets each other between jazz and classical music, creating modern and sparking sounds.
Vanja Contu
Vanja Contu started playing the harp when she was 7 years old, with Michela Marcacci, She graduated in 2011 at the Conservatorio “G. Verdi” of Torino under the guidance of Gabriella Bosio.
Vanja participated in numerous masterclasses with internetionally renowed harpists such as: Isabelle Moretti, Letizia Belmondo, Natalia Shameyeva, Margherita Bassani, Gabriella dall'Olio, Nabila Chajai, Anna Verkholantseva, Park Stickney (jazz harp), Marcella Carboni (jazz harp), Dearbhail Finnegan (celtic harp), Savourna Stevenson (celtic harp) e Marta Graziolino (abaroque harp). In 2011 che studied at the Royal Conservatory of Gent with Arielle Valibouse. In 2015 she obtained the degree in harp teaching at Conservatorio “A. Vivaldi” of Alessandria.
Since 2012 she is studying with Eleanor Turner (Stamford, UK) and since 2015 with Fabrice Pierre (Lyon, FR).
She won various international competitions such as::Concorso internazionale Alice bel colle(edizione 2012) - 2nd prize; XXI Concorso Riviera della Versilia Daniele Ridolfi (edizione 2012) - 3rdprize; Concorso internazionale della città di Maccagno (edizione 2010) – 1st prize; Premio Nazionale delle Arti (edizione 2013) – finalist.
Since 2013 she's collaborating with the Salvi Harps factory to test and check instruments and prototypes.
Valentina Nicolotti
Valentina has always been passionate about voice and music. When she was still a three years old girl she participated in the nationally renowned singing contest Zecchino D’oro, arriving at the semi-finals.
She then started her adult musical studies in 2007 at the Training Center of Music of the City of Turin under the guidance of Elizabeth Prodon, vocal technique and jazz repertoire teacher. After high school graduation she choose music as main subject of her studies by enrolling at the State Conservatory "Antonio Vivaldi" in Alessandria where in July 2014 she graduated in Vocal Jazz 110/110.
She has followed many seminars (Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics, Nuoro Jazz, Two Lakes Jazz Festival), studying with teachers of international fame as Sheila Jordan, Roberta Gambarini, Diana Torto, Tiziana Ghiglioni, Cinzia Spata, Gege Telesforo.
In 2015 she focused on the anatomical, physiological and functional aspects of the voice, enrolling in the Master in Vocologia Artistica at the University of Bologna (F. Fussi - S. Magnani) and studying at the Academy Modai (method functional Marco Farinella).
She works as a singer in various formations, from duo to big band performing at jazz festivals (Jazz around the Clock Lanzo, Moncalieri Jazz Festival, Jazz Festival Piossasco) and gigs and shows in pubs and clubs (Jazz Club Torino, ...).
She is Deputy Director of SiFaSoul Singers youth choir and chorister in the All Sisters gospel choir directed by E. Prodon.
She teaches music and voice at various private and state music schools.
Since October 2015 she has started a two years Master in Jazz Singing at the Conservatory "G. B. Martini "in Bologna.
In October 2016 she received the scholarship 'Musical Talent, Fondazione CRT - State Music Conservatory Giuseppe Verdi of Torino'