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 many prestigious international competitions, Valentin is also the recipient of significant awards from foundations in France (Fondation pour la vocation), Russia (Rostropovich Foundation) and the United States (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 master classes across the U.S., 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 master class 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, Virginia, 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 and Conn-Selmer artist (U.S.). He 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, 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 chamber music performance of Johannes Brahm's "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. Livshits has received invitations to perform for dignitaries such as Secretary of State Colin Powell and President Joe Biden.

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.

Aiwen Zhang is an innovative and dynamic artist committed to exploring diverse musical repertoire and multimedia art forms that captivate audiences worldwide. A classically trained saxophonist, Aiwen is in high demand as a performer and educator, with engagements spanning the United States, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Thailand. As the tenor saxophonist of Project Fusion, Aiwen brings a distinctive voice to the ensemble, contributing to its reputation for versatility and excellence. She is a Henri Selmer Paris endorsing artist and is represented by Allegro Music Consultants.

Aiwen made history as the first person of Chinese descent and the first female artist to secure a top prize at the 5th Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition, one of the most prestigious saxophone competitions in the world. Her accolades also include winning concerto competitions at the University of Michigan, Bowling Green State University and with the Lima Symphony. Additionally, she earned first-place honors in esteemed solo competitions such as the Musicians Club of Women Awards Competition, the Prix de Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris and the Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition.

A sought-after performer and educator, Aiwen has been invited to present recitals and masterclasses at leading musical institutions across the globe. Her notable performances include appearances at the Lincoln Center (New York City), Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.), Beijing National Center for the Performing Arts (China), Université Européenne de Saxophone (France) and Prince Mahidol Hall (Thailand). She has also led masterclasses at prestigious institutions including the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Central Conservatory of Music (China), and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (Singapore).
Aiwen holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Paris Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music. Her principal instructors include Timothy McAllister, Claude Delangle, Chien-Kwan Lin, Vincent David and John Sampen.

Currently, Aiwen serves on the faculty of Temple University’s Preparatory Program and manages her social media platform, V&A TV. She is also the co-founder of Altissimo Arts, a nonprofit chamber music organization that presents concerts blending fine arts in diverse spaces.