Sofia Nizharadze

Biography

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sofia started singing before she started talking. Her mother who was a big push to her in her singing career. Sofia graduated with honors from the Musical Academy under the Tbilisi State Conservatory where she studied piano and vocals. She later continued her studies at the Academy of Theatre and Arts in Russia (GITIS) and graduated with honors from the GNESINY Academy of Music in Moscow.

Through her singing she has brought an international attention to Georgia.

Early life

Nizharadze was born in Tbilisi and started singing from an early age, something that was encouraged by her mother. She studied piano and vocals in the Tbilisi State Conservatory, graduated with honors, and later continued her studies at the theatre of Arts GITIS, Moscow. She also graduated with honors from the Gnessin State Musical College, Moscow. She has a younger brother.

Music career

Sofia's vocal range is light lyric soprano.

At the age of three, Nizharadze started performing as a professional with very positive reception. At the age of seven she was invited by Jansug Kakhidze, a prominent Georgian conductor and author of famous sound tracks for Georgian cinema, to join a children’s music studio where she took the lead as a vocalist for various shows and TV projects.

Later on at age 11, she performed “Sous le ciel de Paris” at the French Embassy, where she was noticed by journalist Bernard Pivot who invited her to his program on TV5.

When she reached 17 years old, Nizharadze had won several international young singer's contests, including the "Bravo, Bravissimo!" competition in Mini La Scala (Italy), "Crystal Note" (Moscow, Russia), "Crystal Fur-tree" (Borjomi, Georgia). She participated in several festivals in Russia, Turkey, Italy, Latvia and Georgia.

Later, she took the leading parts in the musicals “The Wedding Of The Jays” and ”Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour”. Living in Moscow at that moment she started gaining international recognition as a singer.

In 2004, she got a main part in Gerard Presgurvic's musical (Original Russian Version, Operetta Theatre, leading cast). In 2005, she reached the final in the New Wave Festival in Jūrmala, Latvia.

In 2008, Nizharadze gave up her career in Russia and returned to Georgia as a consequence of the war between the two countries, and started a career in Georgia.

She performed The National Anthem of United States of America during the official visit of Vice President Joe Biden to Georgia.

Eurovision Song Contest 2010

Sofia Nizharadze was internally chosen by GPB to represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. An open call for songs was launched, and over 100 entries submitted, the broadcasting authorities selected six, that were all performed by her in a national final on 27 February in the Tbilisi Even Hall. Shine was voted as the winner.

2010: After Eurovision

Nizharadze will plan her new album release, and new songs for it. She will also continue promoting her Eurovision entry in Georgia. Sofia actively participates in many concerts and shows in Europe and Asia. She sang duets with legendary José Carreras, Andrea Bocelli, Chris de Burgh and Julio Iglesias. in 2013 she recorded single "When We Danced" and on which a music video was made with the participation of the king of flamenco Joaquin Cortes. She released a new album with this single and also with Eurovision Song Contest hit "Shine" in March 2014. In 2016 she will take part as judge at the Georgian format of X Factor with Nika Gvaramia, Nina Sublatti and Giorgi Gabunia.

Awards and achievements

The main role in the first Georgian musical Keto and Kote One of the main roles in Rezo Gigineishvili Movie "Love With An Accent" The film's release 2013

Roles

Albums