Dear Sir or Madam,

My name is Marina Belova and I would like to apply for the vacant position of Lute Professor at the Mozarteum University. Based on my teaching experience over the years I hope to possess the necessary qualifications
you require to fill this position.

I was born in 1990 in Lipetsk (Russia), and received my basic education at home, where I graduated from
the College of Music (secondary professional education) and the Insitute "Maimonides Academy" (higher professional education) in classical guitar. In both institutions I received the Diploma "cum laude".
During my studies at the Academy I became interested in the lute by playing both the Renaissance and
the Baroque lute and later the theorbo and Baroque guitar. Subsequently, I refined my performance skills
by attending various master classes abroad, and in early 2023 I graduated from the Conservatory of Verona, Italy, in the Lute class with Professor Franco Pavan, receiving the Diploma "cum laude".

In 2019 I received first prize in the "Maurizio Pratola" lute competition in L'Aquila (Italy) and my concert activity in Russia and abroad includes solo programs and concerts with various ensembles from duo to orchestra, always playing the Renaissance and Baroque lute, theorbo and Baroque guitar.

Soon after graduating from higher education in Moscow, together with my teacher I founded the "First Lute School in Russia" in 2015 - an educational project that includes in-person and online training events (lectures and masterclasses), full-time Summer and Winter courses.
From 2016 to 2022 I taught two courses at the Kosygin Russian State University at the “Maimonides Academy” Institute: the course “Baroque Ensemble” and the “Traditions of Baroque Music Performance” course, the latter divided into lectures and individual lessons with classical guitarists. The course had a duration of two years,
the first of which was devoted to Renaissance music, the second to Baroque music. During this period, students under my guidance became familiar with the musical genres of these eras, studying different performance traditions and creating their own classical guitar arrangements of lute music by performing them later exams, in concerts and competitions.

From 2021 to 2023 I taught at the Academy College of Music of the Tchaikovsky State Conservatory in Moscow. The "Related Instruments" course included conferences on ancient European plucked instruments
(the Renaissance and Baroque lute, the theorbo, the guitar from 1500 to 1800, the vihuela, mandora,
orpharion etc.) and individual lessons on performance practice for lute.

I currently live in Italy but constantly lecture and conduct master classes in several cities in Russia.
I have collaborated with the Museum of Music in St. Petersburg, where I gave a lecture on the history of the lute in conjunction with the inauguration of a permanent exhibition of Baroque instruments; I recorded two videos for the Hermitage, performing there the music depicted in paintings from the Museum's collection.

I believe that the information given here about my experience of working with students aged 15 to 25, including teaching with individual and ensemble lessons, as well as lessons on the repertoire and history of the lute and guitar of the 16th-18th centuries, my musical training on both guitar and lute, a significant and consolidated concert practice, allow me to apply for the vacant position of lute professor at the Mozarteum University.
I would be happy to become part of the teaching staff of the University and take an active part in the creative development of students.

To conclude this statement of mine, I would like to emphasize among my personal qualities a good
self-organization, the ability to work in a team, determination for self-improvement, as well as a great interest
and drive toward educational work with adult students.

Hoping that this application of mine will be considered by you and trusting in your response,
I send you my most

Kind regards
Marina Belova

marinabelovalute@gmail.com
+393534604411, +79056103553