High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Valentina's father is a Gypsy violinist Dmitriy Ponomaryov, her mother is a Russian pianist Irina Lukashova. Valentina was born when her parents were students of the Moscow Conservatory and lived in a student dormitory. Valentina was growing among classical European and Gypsy music. Her parents travelled a lot so Valentina studied at many schools. After she finished her school she entered the Khabarovsk Arts Institute. She studied both vocal and piano. As a student she learnt about jazz and took a great interest in it.