BIO

Zhenya Patapenka came to the U.S. in 1999. He is originally from Belarus, which is located in Eastern Europe and

formerly a part of the USSR. His musical journey started

at the age of seven when his parents noticed his natural talent and love for music. They enrolled him in Music School for Children to study the bayan, a Russian type of

accordion, along with the piano.

At the age of sixteen, Zhenya unexpectedly received his first guitar when his brother traded his own skateboard

for a guitar and handed it to him. But love for the guitar came later when he went to study electronics at the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics. During his university years he became a Christian. Soon after, he started to play in worship bands for Christian church services, concerts, conferences and weddings. The guitar gradually became Zhenya's primary instrument for which he then felt a need for a deeper knowledge of it.

When Zhenya moved to the United States he decided to pursue the formal study of guitar. While living in Wisconsin he studied privately with Jazz specialists Bob Balsley and Don Linke, and also with renowned classical guitarist Kevin Gallagher.

While living in Colorado Zhenya attended Denver Metropolitan State College and studied guitar under Alex Komodore, Dave Devine and Drew Morell, a well-known Denver based jazz artist.

In Denver during the summer of 2002 Zhenya was instrumental in the formation of the jazz trio "Four". He played professionally with the band until the summer of 2005. "Four" played a significant role in the development of Zhenya's musicianship. The experience playing with other professional musicians was priceless.

In summer 2005 Zhenya moved his family to Southern California where he continues to pursue music playing at different events with many local talents...