Leman Atakishiyeva

Leman Atakishiyeva (August 3, 1933, Baku – 2015) was an Azerbaijani conductor, choirmaster, professor at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, and honored artist of the Azerbaijan SSR (1987). Leman Atakishiyeva was the organizer and artistic director of the chamber choir under the Azerbaijan Choral Society from 1976 to 1989.

Early life and education
Leman Atakishiyeva was born on August 3, 1933, in Baku into a family of educators — Hasan Atakishiyev and Sakina Terequlova. She received her initial musical education at the ten-year music school affiliated with the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, graduating in 1951. She then completed her studies in the choir conducting department of the conservatory under the tutelage of L.V. Frolova.

Career
In May 1955, she was appointed the chief conductor of the second song festival organized by A. Yurlov.

In 1956, Atakishiyeva began her pedagogical career at the conservatory and was promoted to senior teacher in 1961. That same year, she started working at the newly established opera studio at the conservatory and led the studio's choir for 12 years.

From 1966 to 1969, Atakishiyeva continued her education as a postgraduate student at the Gnessin State Musical Pedagogical Institute in Moscow. Upon returning from Moscow, she continued her pedagogical work at the conservatory as an associate professor in the choral conducting department. In 1976, she was appointed the artistic director of the chamber choir under the Azerbaijan Choral Society. She toured extensively with the choir and performed numerous concerts.

In 1981, Atakishiyeva was invited to the Atatürk Istanbul Opera and Ballet Theatre as the chief choirmaster, where she prepared more than 10 works by Russian and Western composers over three seasons. She worked on Turkish composer Adnan Saygun's large-scale vocal-symphonic piece "Dastan," dedicated to Atatürk. After returning to Baku, she worked as the chief choirmaster at the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theatre for a year while continuing her teaching activities. Later, she focused solely on her pedagogical work.

In 1992, Atakishiyeva was elected professor at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory through a competitive process. In 2001, she moved to Moscow at the invitation of the Russian Choral Art Academy and worked there until 2010, training many choirmasters.

Death
Leman Atakishiyeva passed away in 2015.

Awards
The honorary title "Honored Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR" was awarded to her on December 30, 1987.