GOLD MEDALIST

Valentin Kovalev is a passionate and dedicated classical saxophonist, who is seeking to explore the possibility of elevating the voice of saxophone in classical music. 

Named the winner of the most prestigious international competition, Valentin is also the recipient of significant awards from foundations in France - Fondation pour la vocation, in Russia - Rostropovich Foundation, and the US - Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia. His international career spans performances as a soloist across the U.S., Russia, France, Andorra, and Asia. In 2021, he joined the roster of Astral Artists (Philadelphia) as a National Competition Winner. 

Valentin was recently named a winner and received the Audience Award from the prestigious Concert Artists Guild, a distinguished classical music management organization based in New York City. 

As the recent winner of the esteemed Naumburg Foundation 2022 Saxophone Competition, Valentin gave a sold-out Debut Recital at Carnegie Hall premiering the newly commissioned piece by GRAMMY-winning composer Steven Mackey during the 2023-2024 season. 

As an active educator, Valentin enjoys teaching masterclasses across the US, Italy, Andorra, France, Spain, and Asia. Having served as a saxophone professor at Rowan University in New Jersey, Valentin is excited to become a visiting professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Valentin has recently recorded his masterclass and podcast for an online educational platform AdLibitum Class. 

His musical journey from Siberia to studying saxophone in Moscow, obtaining an undergraduate degree from the esteemed Paris Conservatory, and completing a Master's degree at the University of Michigan, exemplifies how determination and passion can surpass geographical limitations. 

In August 2023, Valentin had the honor of joining the acclaimed electronic dance music violinist, Lindsey Stirling, on stage in Portsmouth, VA for a captivated audience of 6,000 people. 

One of Valentin’s most noteworthy accomplishments has been building an engaged community of music lovers across his social media platforms, collectively surpassing 100,000 followers on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. This robust online presence has allowed him to share his passion for the saxophone, inspire others, and foster a thriving global community of music enthusiasts. 

Valentin is a Henri Selmer, Paris artist, Conn-Selmer artist (USA), and is represented by the Concert Artists Guild.

GRAMMY Award winning pianist Mark Livshits is one of the most highly sought after soloists and chamber musicians in Philadelphia. He appears frequently in concert with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as with the orchestra as a substitute in the keyboard section.

In addition to performances at the Salzburg Festival, solo recitals at the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, and Bilbao Philharmonic Society, Dr. Livshits has also worked closely with musicians such as Yannick Nezet Seguin, Stephane Denève, Michael Tilson Thomas, Nikolaj Znaider, Nathalie Stutzman, Marin Alsop, Leonidas Kovakos, Gil Shaham, Lynn Harrell, Midori, Christoph Eschenbach, Alisa Weilerstein, Measha Brueggergosman, Daniel Lozakovich, Dave Brubeck, Nick Canellakis, Robert Mcduffie, and Deutsche Grammophon recording artist, Ye-Eun Choi under the auspices of IMG Artists and the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation.

In 2015, he was called to replace Yannick Nezet-Seguin in a chamber music performance of Brahms Third Quartet for Piano and Strings with members from the Philadelphia Orchestra and has been invited to perform in chamber programs with members of the orchestra since then. He is often called to play orchestral piano in the orchestra as well. Dr. Livshits has received invitations to perform for dignitaries such as Secretary of State Colin Powell and President Joe Biden.

Dr. Livshits currently serves on the faculty as the head of collaborative piano at the University of Delaware and on faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music as a collaborative  pianist. He also serves on the faculty at the Philadelphia International Music Festival.

Mark Livshits is a Steinway Artist.