"The Miracle" is a beautiful work of music that explores the theme of finding beauty in the mundane. The composition tells the story of a bear cub's day, from sunrise to sunset, as he discovers that the miracle he's been waiting for is actually the everyday moments and experiences that make life special. 

Nina Iorik shares, "Through 'Miracle', I aimed to convey the importance of appreciating the present moment and finding wonder in everyday life. I hope listeners can connect with the bear cub's journey and discover their own miracles."

The composition is written for a small ensemble, featuring piano, cello, violin, flute, and bass clarinet. Nina's original work was inspired by the sound theme of "Hedgehog in the Fog", written by Mikhail A. Meyerovich, and was developed as part of a Seattle Symphony Young Composers' Workshop where she experimented with innovative ideas and collaborated with other artists.

“What a charming piece! I adore this. You have a gift for musical storytelling. You are able to elicit empathy through your music for whomever or whatever is wandering around encountering adventures. This music kept me very engaged and curious as to what was happening. Even without a visual, I was still intrigued and creating my own imagined story. Wonderful. Keep up this amazing work! Keep creating, Keep composing!” - Korine Fujiwara, a founding member of the Carpe Diem String Quartet, composer.

“Memorable themes really help create the feeling of a story! <…>
I found your use of sound effects so unique and fun! And I especially enjoyed how rhythmic and musical they are! You use each instrument nicely according to it's character.
Flows nicely through the story, with a good sense of timing and contrast! <…> I so love how narrative this work feels. Keep exploring story telling and how music connects to it!” - Michael Kropf, composer.

“Hearing this repeatedly brings me the same joy I felt during my childhood, a time of brightness and naivete, yet filled with pure happiness.” - Anna S., listener, concert attendee.

“What a wonderful, touching, and pure composition, full of goodness, warmth, love, and beauty! It feels so wonderful in my soul! " - Mila F., pianist.

"There's a lot in this music: there's Schumann, and Bach, and even Vivaldi in places. Very talentedly written, with a great soul." - Eric A., pianist.

Nina Iorik is a talented young composer and pianist who has recently premiered her composition at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, performed by the Seattle Symphony under the baton of conductor Sunny Xia. Her music composition "The Miracle" was a prize winner at the MTNA’25 Composition Competition and received positive feedback from jurors and listeners.

Composer and Founder of "The Miracle" Project: Nina Iorik

Alexandra Iorik is a music producer and active figure in the classical music scene in Seattle, Washington. As the producer of the project "The Miracle", she combines her passion for music with her experience in public communications. With a Master's degree in Journalism, Alexandra applies her expertise in public relations and marketing to work with renowned musicians and organizations. She was a marketing director at Gallery Concerts and is currently working with Early Music Seattle, also promoting classical music. Alexandra founded a group for a classical music enthusiasts within the Russian-speaking community and served on the board of directors for the local Resonance Studio Theater, working to expand access to the arts and classical music in the Greater Seattle area.

Musicians: 

Karina Gaisina (violin, viola) Laureate of international competitions Born in Tatarstan. Education: Rachmaninov Tambov State Music and Pedagogy Institute, Moscow State Institute of Culture As part of orchestras and ensembles, she has performed on the stages of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, Gnesin Russian Academy of Music, Moscow International House of Music, Gitis Theater, and Elektroteatr Stanislavsky. She participates in premieres and recording projects of contemporary composers' music.

Yury Lukyanov (cello) was born in Moscow in 1983. He studied cello at the Schnittke College and Institute of Music under Professor L.B. Evgrafov. He is a laureate of national and international competitions as part of a quartet and chamber ensemble. He currently teaches cello at one of the children's art schools and leads a string orchestra.

Anastasia Savelieva (flute) was born in 1989, she studied flute at the Moscow State Conservatory, also played keyboards in rock bands, and worked as a freelance flautist. She also graduated from Moscow State University's with a degree in journalism and worked as a photojournalist. She's a laureate of international competitions and actively performing with different bands.

Vazgen Yusupov (bass-clarinet) was born in 2003 in Turkmenistan. He studies at Moscow's "Academy of Jazz" with Evgeny Petrov. He's a laureate of international competitions, including the International Weber Clarinet Competition and the All-Russian Music Competition. Vazgen has performed with orchestras like the St. Petersburg Cappella Symphony and Samara State Philharmonic.

Anastasia Potapova is a concert pianist and teacher, specializing in modern music. A graduate of Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatory and currently studying at Moscow Institute of Modern Art, she's known for her pianistic intuition and musicality. Anastasia promotes contemporary composers while respecting classical heritage, and is involved in exciting projects, including recording Nina Iorik's "The Miracle".

Sound engineers:

Nikolay Eremeev, Chef Sound Engineer. Nikolay is a 25 years old sound engineer and musician from Moscow. He is studying at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA). Nikolay has recorded notable pianists such as Yuri Favorin, Alexey Lyubimov, and Konstantin Khachikyan, as well as the Moscow Conservatory Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Anatoly Levin and Eduardo Garcia Barrios. Nikolay works with various genres, from classical to hip-hop, and has experience working in studios such as Chemodanov Production (RAAR #3 studio), Mosfilm, and CineLab. He teaches music production software and serves as the technical director and chief sound engineer for the "The Miracle" project. Certifications and awards include WorldSkills Russia qualification (2020), U.S. Department of State Study of the U.S. Institutes on Civic Engagement program (2025), and Audinate Dante Level 2.

Ivan Goncharenko, Deputy Chief Sound Engineer. Ivan is a 21 years old sound engineer, studies at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA). Ivan works in film industry as a dubbing engineer. Apart from movies, Ivan records and mixes different kinds of music, including «CANTUS» Choir, cond. Alexandra Samokhvalova.

Ioann Vlasov is a 20-year-old sound engineer and music producer, studying at the Institute of Contemporary Art. He specializes in recording, mixing, and mastering music across various genres. His work can be heard on the Klever Music label. Ioann is currently working as a sound engineer on various projects.

Alexander Azizaliev (sound engineer) is a third-year student at the Institute of Contemporary Art, where he is honing his skills in sound engineering. With experience recording academic ensembles in prestigious venues like the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Alexander plays a key role in music production teams. His responsibilities include setting up microphone systems, editing recordings, and contributing to artistic decisions on arrangements. He has collaborated with notable artists, including Ivailo Filippov.

Ivan Surin (sound engineer) is a third-year student at the Institute of Contemporary Art, . He works as a sound engineer and music producer for the "Mayvl" team, and also collaborates with Ivailo Filippov (a finalist of the TV show "The Voice"). The most distinctive aspect of his work is transforming the abstract vision of the music author into a finished audio solution that fully meets modern standards and the author's vision.

The Animation and Production Team

Marina Ilina (Illustrator & Fine Artist): A freelance artist and illustrator, Marina was born in Kirishi, Russia, and graduated from the Faculty of Arts at Leningrad State University (A.S. Pushkin) in 2008. After relocating to California in 2015 and later settling in Washington state in 2021, she has become an active member of the Union of Watercolorists of Siberia and the American Northwest Watercolor Society. Her work has been showcased across Russia and widely in local Washington exhibitions, including Maple Valley, Snoqualmie, and Kirkland. Marina’s mastery of watercolor textures will add a rich, traditional fine-art layer to the project's background landscapes.

Ivy Gilliam (2D Animator & Illustrator): Based out of Seattle, Ivy is a dynamic 2D animator and multimedia artist. She has worked as a freelance book cover illustrator for local Seattle authors since 2021. After earning an associate’s degree in animation from Shoreline College in 2023, Ivy is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Animation at Cornish College of the Arts, bringing strong narrative illustration skills and modern 2D techniques to the team.

Ciel Richmond (Animator): A 21-year-old third-year student at Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University, Ciel has dedicated himself entirely to the craft of animated storytelling. His creative work endeavors to reflect deep emotion and intent, exploring character dynamics and evocative narratives that perfectly align with the atmospheric spirit of "Miracle."

Our funding goal is $2000, which will cover the costs of completing the animation process. Your contribution will help us:

- Bring this enchanting animated film to life through music and animation

- Share this project with a wider audience and promote the appreciation of classical music and animation

We're aware that producing a high-quality animation comes with challenges, including:

- Meeting deadlines and managing production costs

- Ensuring the availability of talented animators and sound engineers

- Coordinating the recording process to capture the perfect sound

- Adapting to any unexpected technical issues or creative changes

We'll provide regular updates on our progress and any challenges we face. Your support will help us mitigate these risks and ensure the success of "The Miracle".

As a thank you for your support, we're offering the following rewards:

- Digital thank you note and behind-the-scenes updates

- Music download of "The Miracle"

- Exclusive merchandise (available in Phase 2, when the animated characters will be released)

- Private performance by Nina and friends will be in person and streamed (for top donors)

- VIP experience, including a meet-and-greet with Nina Iorik and the team (virtually)

Nina Iorik would like to extend her heartfelt thanks to her friends and family for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout the composition process. Special thanks to Marcin Pączkowski, Jeremy Jolley, Allison Damon, Paul Stovall, Alisa Sargsyan, Anna Vasilevskaya, Eleanora Karpukhova, Vyacheslav Smirnov, Ernest Arutiunov, Yelena Strizhevskaya, Marina Ilina, Andrey Lebedev, Nadezhda Borisevich, Svetlana Huba, Kira Gamolsky, Roman Bogdanov, Sergei Shinkarev, Natalia Pokataeva, Michelle Cao, Wendy Wang, Hanna Prokharava, Nelya Galiakbarova, Mila Filatova, Michael Tran, Olena Vlasova, Yulia Zhavoronkova, Alena Eremenco, Svetlana Legacheva, Maria Elterman, Olga Melnik, Lada Slovetskaya, Boris Tarasevich, Ekaterina Nechaeva, Alla Pinzari, Ksenia Khokhlova, John Lee, Allan Park, Nino Merabishvili, Irina Kuzmina, Rita Iorik, Anonymous (10) and the Seattle Symphony Musicians.

Your support helped us create something truly special. Your contribution bringing "The Miracle" to life and inspire a new generation of music lovers.

- Recording process and Post-production: 2-3 months

- Launch of animated film: Fall 2026