Yelena Tilloyeva, the newly appointed artistic director of Tajikistan’s National Theater and a recipient of the honorary title of People’s Artist, has spent nearly three decades building her career in music. In an interview with Asia-Plus, she spoke about her new role, her journey from chorus performer to theater leader, the influence of her parents, and the importance of musical education for children.
Tilloyeva could have pursued a career as a pianist or soloist, but chose choral conducting instead. She rose from a chorus performer to chief choirmaster of the Sadriddin Ayni State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater and is now beginning a new chapter at the National Theater.
“I believe my life and career have turned out in the best possible way. If I could speak to young Lena now, the girl who had just stepped through the doors of a music school for the first time, I would say: ‘You are on the right path — never give up,’” she says.
She has also worked as a teacher at the Odina Hoshim Music School since 2008, teaching piano and choir, and plans to continue alongside her theater responsibilities.
Lessons from her parents
Born in Dushanbe on April 6, 1979, Tilloyeva grew up in a family of three children. Both her parents were visually impaired, but their determination and dedication to work shaped their children’s lives.
Her mother, Valentina, trained as a historian and worked at a school for blind children before joining a factory employing visually impaired people in Dushanbe. Her father, Samad Tilloyev, studied at the Gorky Conservatory and taught the bayan, a type of button accordion, at the Ahmad Bobokulov Music College for more than 50 years.
Her brother Daler Tilloyev became a conductor and leads the Presidential Orchestra, which he established. Their younger brother, Rustam Tilloyev, works in international relations at the United Nations.
The family faced severe financial difficulties after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when their father went without a salary for two years. Yelena and her mother turned to trading to help support the family.
“Neither she nor father ever gave up, and they lived their lives as honest people,” Tilloyeva recalls. “I believe that everything I have achieved is due, first and foremost, to the upbringing and life lessons my mother and father gave me.”
From chorus performer to chief choirmaster
Tilloyeva’s professional career began in 1998, when she was a fourth-year piano student at the Ahmad Boboqulov Music College. The Opera and Ballet Theater was selecting young singers for an international choral competition in Ankara, Türkiye.
Although she missed the initial visit by theater representatives to her college, her teachers recommended her for an audition because of her voice and experience in the college choir. Of 30 candidates, only ten were selected.
The ensemble later took second place among participants from 39 countries. Tilloyeva was subsequently awarded the highest professional category.
She continued her studies through a correspondence program in choral conducting and became second choirmaster, responsible for teaching new singers their parts. She passed her final examination with distinction.
Years later, she became chief choirmaster of the Opera and Ballet Theater, where she worked for 28 years.
A new chapter at the National Theater
In August 2026, Tilloyeva received a call from the President’s Executive Office informing her of her appointment as artistic director of the National Theater. She said the decision brought mixed feelings because she was leaving a company that had become her second home.
She remained at the Opera and Ballet Theater until September 9 to help her successor, Sharifbek Barotov, with the transition.
The National Theater is now recruiting its creative team, with more than 200 positions to fill. Young talent is a priority, and students from music colleges and universities will also be considered.
The theater plans to focus on national works and develop drama alongside opera and ballet, with opportunities for joint productions and new projects.
Tilloyeva described the theater as an important investment in Tajikistan’s cultural future and expressed gratitude to President Emomali Rahmon for his support of the arts.
Why music education matters
Outside work, Tilloyeva enjoys spending time with her family and knitting while watching films.
Having taught children for many years, she believes musical education helps develop discipline, concentration and cognitive skills, regardless of a child’s future profession.
“I always tell my children and students that they must see things through to the end and obtain a music education certificate. You never know how life will turn out, and a music education and the skills it brings can always come in useful,” says Yelena Tilloyeva.