Nina Meshko

Nina Konstantinovna Meshko (née Vorobyova) was the Artistic Director of the State Academic Northern Russian Folk Choir. Honoured Artist of the RSFSR (1969), and People’s Artist of the RSFSR (1976 & 1980). Held the Order of Lenin, the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" 4th class, the Public Recognition Badge, "Heritage of the North" Badge, the M.I. Glinka State Prize of the RSFSR (1968), and the Russian Federation Government Award in the Field of Culture (2008). Is an honorary citizen of Paris and Arkhangelsk. Meshko additionally composed and wrote the lyrics for the anthem of the Arkhangelsk Region. In 1945, Meshko graduated from the Department of Choral and Orchestral Conducting at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatoire; from 1945 until 1947, she conducted for independent choral collectives. In 1954, Meshko founded the Moscow Region Folk Choir affiliated with the Moscow Regional Folk Arts Center (МОДНТ). Just three years later, in 1957, this choir became a laureate of the All-Union Competition at the International Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow. By recommendation of the USSR Ministry of Culture, Meshko, having extensive experience in choral conducting and teaching, was sent to teach in Arkhangelsk. She became the successor to Antonina Yakovlevna Kolotilova (the founder and first Artistic Director of the State Academic Northern Russian Folk Choir). From 1960, she worked as Artistic Director of the State Academic Northern Russian Folk Choir, a laureate of All-Russian, All-Union and international competitions and festivals. In 1976, the Northern Russian Folk Choir was granted Academic status. Nina Konstantinovna Meshko developed a popular teaching method for folk singing, on the basis of which multiple generations of folk singers and choir conductors have been trained.