Vladimir Stopichev, Honored Artist of Russia, professor, studied in the Specialized Music School, Leningrad Conservatoire and stayed on to get his postgraduate degree under professor Y. Kramarov.

From 1970 till 1991 he has been a soloist of Saint-Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra under E. Mravinsky and Y. Temirkanov. Stopichev was awarded the First Prize at the International Cello Contest in Munich (1971). From 1983 has become a violist of the State Quartet named after Taneyev. As a solo performer and with a quartet he toured in Russia, USA, Italy, France, Germany, Yugoslavia, Finland and England.

He performed with Gutnikov, Davidovich, Bron, Pom’e, Virsaladze, Rudin, Isakadzsce, Gantvarg in chamber ensembles and gave the master-classes in Russia, South Korea, USA, Germany, England, Finland, was a jury member at international, Russian, Belorussian and Italian contests.