Yuri is a musical composer and the creator of RussiaBlog. A Ph.D. candidate, he is also a graduate of the Russian Tax Academy School of Law in Moscow. During his studies (and following), he served as the Director of International Relations for the Sodeystvie Fund, the oldest charitable foundation in the Former Soviet Union. Yuri represented one of the first Ukrainian private businesses in Moscow, helping them establish new business contacts and develop copyright agreements. Yuri's parents, who still live in the city, both held high ranking positions in the former Soviet government (his father was a speechwriter and spokesman for the defense ministry). After the Russian Federation replaced the Soviet Union, the Mamchur family worked through the challenges facing Russia’s new democracy and succeeded in post-Soviet society.

For the past six years, Yuri has traveled between Moscow and the U.S., immersing himself in American culture, even taking classes at Georgetown University. Yuri currently resides in Seattle; in his free time, he volunteers with Tacoma YMCA and teaches piano to young students. He recently released his new solo piano CD titled “In the Harbor.”

The event will be held in the Simpson Room on the third floor of the World Trade Center Tacoma, located at 950 Pacific Avenue, Suite 310. Click here for directions. For more information, contact Loretta Aschenbrenner at (425) 413-1138 or at loretta@nwlink.com.