I was born in Russia in the city of Yekaterinburg, Ural Mountains region, into a family of professional musicians. My parents, Tamara Volskaya & Anatoliy Trofimov were highly achieved and well recognized teachers, educators and performance duo in Russia. Coincidently, I was singing and composing music from an early age.) My music path has started with learning piano for 7 years at Music School #3 of the City of Yekaterinburg. Later, I was admitted into jazz composition class at the Music College by P. I. Tchaikovsky, where I studied for 2 years before relocating to the USA in 1996. It took me 2 more years to receive BA in music at Hunter College, NYC. 

I was not aware of Brazilian music while growing up in Russia. However, I was always attracted to the tunes with underlying patterns of Bossa Nova and Samba. It may seem like simple music to perform, but playing and singing Brazilian music is very demanding and requires an accumulation of all of the musician’s skill. I had to learn the guitar in order to perform Brazilian tunes!

Learning how to play a guitar was a big challenge as it is very different from piano.  I’ve watched YouTube, analyzing the fingering and hand positions for the tunes I liked.  I transcribed and memorized the chords of the songs I loved. I had to learn how to sing in Brazilian Portuguese language. I took guitar lessons and some vocal lessons. The biggest musical enrichment came from Cazadero Brazil Camp, CA.  Brazil Camp hosted legendary musicians such as Guinga, Ivan Lins, Chico Pinheiro, Vanderlei Pereira, Moyseis Marques and Arismar do Espirito Santo, to name a few, teaching students in unique and friendly atmosphere allowing interactions and collaborations every day. It was unforgettable life experience for me! Past the camp, my repertoire grew as well as my confidence as a solo performer. 

I have performed in California and New York at the private events and receptions until meeting my husband in California. Becoming a mom, put a hold on my performances for few years. Until my daughter turned 2.. then I picked up my instruments and started teaching young children group music lessons.

Continuing today, I teach groups and private students, children and adults in educational centers and studios in English and Russian. My students vary in age from 2 to 65 years old. I work hard on making my lessons fun, engaging, full of energy and entertaining for all participants regardless of age sharing my knowledge and passion for music. I use lots of percussion instruments in my classes from different cultures and teach drum circles incorporating Brazilian bateria (drum kits) and Latin Percussions (LP).

 My music has a website www.nadiacanta.bandcamp.com and is available for downloads.