Julia Sakharova (russian: Юлия Сахарова) is a professional
violin
The violin, sometimes known as a ''fiddle'', is a wooden chordophone (string instrument) in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in the family in regular ...
ist. A native of
Zheleznovodsk
Zheleznovodsk (russian: Железново́дск) is a town in Stavropol Krai, Russia. Population:
Etymology
The name of the town literally means ''iron-water-place'', as the mineral waters springing from the earth in Zheleznovodsk were belie ...
, Russia, she debuted at the age of eight with the Moldavian Symphony Orchestra. Her mother is also a musician. By the age of 11, she was already internationally known as a
child prodigy
A child prodigy is defined in psychology research literature as a person under the age of ten who produces meaningful output in some domain at the level of an adult expert. The term is also applied more broadly to young people who are extraor ...
due to her skills on the violin. At the age of 15, she won the top prize in the
International Competition for Music of Eastern and Central Europe
International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations".
International may also refer to:
Music Albums
* ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011
* ''International'' (New Order album), 2002
* ''International'' (The T ...
; Vladimir Spivakov, the head of the jury, presented her with his bow in addition to the prize. She attended Oberlin College, graduating in 2003 with a major in violin performance; she studied under
Milan Vitek Milan Vitek (born Ostrava, Czech Republic, 30 August 1938) is a violinist, conductor, educator and Professor of Violin at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. That same year, she competed in the
Concours International de Montréal des Jeunesses Musicales Concours may refer to:
* Concours d'Elegance, a competition among car owners on the appearance of their cars
* EU Concours, a selection process for staff of the EU institutions
* A competitive examination
* Cadillac Concours, an automobile model
...
, and won sixth prize. In 2005, she visited
Caracas
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
, Venezuela to perform with the National Philharmonic Orchestra there. She has been Assistant Concertmaster of the
Alabama Symphony Orchestra
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra based in Birmingham, Alabama. The orchestra's resident and principal conductor is Christopher Confessore. The Orchestra was first formed in April 1921 but had to close because of financial issu ...
since 2008. Since 2012 Sakharova is the newest member of the Arianna String Quartet which is on Residence at the
University of Missouri St. Louis
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase ''universitas magistrorum et scholarium'', which ...
. She is part of the Music Faculty as Associate Professor of Violin.
Education
Graduated from Moscow's Central Special Music School. Graduated from Oberlin College in 2003, studying with Taras Gabora,
Almita Vamos
Roland and Almita Vamos are a husband and wife who are violin and viola instructors. The Vamoses have been recognized at the White House seven times and were named Distinguished Teachers by the National Endowment for the Arts. They have been hono ...
and
Milan Vitek Milan Vitek (born Ostrava, Czech Republic, 30 August 1938) is a violinist, conductor, educator and Professor of Violin at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Received a master's degree from the
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the most ...
in 2006, studying with
Donald Weilerstein
Donald Weilerstein (born 1940) is an American violinist and pedagogue.
Early life and education
Weilerstein was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Berkeley, California. He began playing the violin at the age of four and earned a Bachelor o ...
.
Discography
*2001 – ''Rachmaninoff: The Élégiaque Piano Trios'' (Tavros Records) – with cellist Margrét Arnadóttir and pianist Yung Wook Yoo
*2015 – ''Beethoven: The Early String Quartets, Opus 18'' (
Centaur Records
Centaur Records is one of the oldest and largest independent classical labels in America. The company is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was founded by Victor Sachse in 1976. Centaur's catalog includes classical, historical, pops, contem ...
) – as part of the Arianna String Quartet
*2017 – ''Beethoven: The Middle Quartets'' (Centaur Records) – as part of the Arianna String Quartet