Veronika Grace (Vered Khvalevsky)(Mezzo-Soprano) was born in Tashkent(Uzbekistan) on 8.7.1976. In 2001 she completed her
Master's Degree in Vocal/Choral Music and Conducting at the Tashkent State Conservatory“M.Ashraphy” and teacher of voice in music college, served as second conductor at the conservatory's opera studio.
As a concert soloist, she sang for the Tashkent State Opera, the Agape Church in Tashkent, the Tashkent State Philarmonic Orchestra, and the “Silk Road” Choir.
Veronika has participated in numerous festivals including the “Gift to Bach” Festival of Organ Music in Tashkent in 2000, the International Festival of Modern Music “Ilhom 20”, a festival on the occasion of Pope John Paul ll's visit to Astana, Kazakhstan in 2001, and the 2003 Festival of Young Talents, in Seoul, South Korea.
She has been seen on the opera stage in roles such as Marcellina in Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, Giovanna in Verdi's Rigoletto, Larina in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, Kate in Puccini's Madame Butterfly, and Carmen in Bizet's masterpiece.
Since coming to Israel in 2005, Ms. Tonkonogov has performed in concerts both locally and abroad. Recent appearances include her role in the Tel-Aviv opera” Sadna”, and opera “Aeterna” in Jerusalem.
She has been mentored by renowned voice teachers in Germany and in the United States, namely New York Metropolitan Opera's John Norris, Joan Donermann, Mignon Dunn, Olga Makarina, and Abby Furmansky.
In 2009, she gave concerts in Italy, at the “Pergolezi” and “Gentile” theatres, and she participated in the “Class at the “Rossini” theatre in Pesaro, Master - class with Placido Domingo in Verona, and participated in the festival of Sacred Music in Rome.
Since 2006, she has been the voice teacher at the Magnificat Institute of Music in Jerusalem.
She is currently the director of the Notre Dame choir at the Pontifical Institute of Notre Dame Jerusalem Center.
In 2012, she participated in the Bergamo Music Festival of Opera (Serenata al Vento) (Italy).
In 2013 participated in the Festival Idish Music (Tel-Aviv), and in 2014 Festival "New Stars of Israel".
Since 2014, she has been a voice and music teacher, and conductor at the school "Zalman Aran" in Jerusalem.
In 2015 participated in the Festival "New Staes of Israel".
In 2016 participated as a conductor with the choir "Harmony" in the music contest "Golden Keys" which took a 3-place price.
In 2017 participated in the music contest" Golden Keys" with the choir "Harmony.
In 2018 1 price in 14 International Culture Caravan Digi-Art Autumn Contest 2018 Poland,
2018 3 price in 4 International Festival Moskow Mosaic,1st price in 3rd in International festival in Moskow,
1st and 2nd place in Golden Time Chicago,1st and 2nd place in Hollywood.
In 2019 participated in 2 International festival-contest of music,
2nd place in 4 Paris International Music Competitions,
1st price in the Music competition in Poland - Germany(Summer Caravan of Culture),
Participated in Opera-Symphonic Laboratory" New Opera World"2019
in opera by Puccini "Suor Angelica" in roll Labadessa.
In 2021 participated in the Gala Concert, like a winner of the
Golden Classical Music Award International Competition in Carnegie Hall New York, USA.
In 2023 participated as a special guest in the Golden Dream
International Contest of Creativity at Clark Region Theatre in Las Vegas, USA.
In March 2024, she participated in the
"Grand Virtuozo Music" Awards ceremony in Amsterdam.
In July 2024, she participated in the
"Mozart Grand Virtuozo Music"
Awards ceremony in Salzburg, Austria.
