Sofiya Levchenko
Hollis,NY
Summary
Professional violinist with extensive experience teaching both college-level and pre-college students. Active performer in solo, chamber, and orchestral settings, with a diverse repertoire spanning Baroque, Classical, and Contemporary music. Currently serving as concertmaster of the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra and teaching in the New York area. Focused on commissioning and premiering new solo violin works written by Uzbek composers, combining modern techniques with traditional Uzbek music elements.
Overview
49
49
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Session Violin Faculty
Kinhaven Music School
06.2024 - Current
- Built and led a violin studio of seven students, providing individual lessons, organizing weekly studio classes, and conducting group workshops to improve violin technique. Mentored students in planning their professional paths, including college selection, auditions, and festival participation.
- Built chamber ensembles based on students' playing levels, ages, and personalities, selecting repertoire to highlight their strengths and expand their musical knowledge. Coached the groups for Academy concerts and engaged them in community performances at local venues.
- Assisted with symphony orchestra preparation, including marking bowings and fingerings. Led orchestra sectionals and pioneered a weekly orchestra check for the violin section
- Performed every weekend in a faculty chamber music series, presenting challenging masterworks.
Teaching Assistant
Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY)
08.2021 - 06.2023
- Managed a violin studio of undergraduate students, developing my own teaching methods by integrating the Central Music School of Moscow’s approach and Soviet-era study books into the existing curriculum. Tailored the repertoire to include both technical pieces and those that resonated personally with each student, drawing from diverse works across regions and time periods.
- Prepared students for recitals, juries, and auditions each term. Notable successes include one student won the concerto competition at Stony Brook, performing Korngold’s concerto. Another was admitted to the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra following graduation.
- Conducted weekly University Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra rehearsals at Stony Brook University, culminating in a concert featuring selections from Handel's Messiah, showcasing conducting skills. Led sectionals to enhance ensemble performance.
Teaching Assistant
Michigan State University
08.2017 - 06.2019
- Worked closely with Professor Berlinsky to organize studio classes
- Taught lessons when needed
- Gave masterclasses as a teaching assistant at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, recruiting talented young students to apply and study in Professor Berlinsky's studio
- Performed in various ensembles within the College of Music, including the International Chamber Soloists, MSU String Quartet, and other groups.
Assistant to Professor
State Conservatory of Uzbekistan
08.2014 - 06.2017
- Coached around 27 chamber ensembles each term
- Collaborated and performed with conservatory students as part of the Chamber Music Department, helping them prepare for competitions, juries, and recitals.
Outreach and Professional Activities
01.2008 - 01.2008
- Participated in instrumental petting zoos at public schools, libraries, and schools for students with special needs across Long Island, introducing children to the violin through interactive group games, workshops, and first try-outs.
- Gave masterclasses at the Music School of Delaware (Wilmington), the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, and a children's music school in Bukhara, sharing expertise with aspiring young violinists and undergraduate students.
- Served as a resident at the University of Wyoming, giving masterclasses and workshops for composers as part of the Unheard of Ensemble group.
- Judged the IV International Manolov Competition, evaluating performances in the junior group and providing written feedback for each participant.
Performing Experience
Solo Performances With Orchestra
01.2014 - 01.2026
- Wilmington Community Orchestra: Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, Chausson’s Poème.
- National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan: Mendelssohn Violin Concerto.
- State Conservatory Orchestra of Uzbekistan: Mendelssohn Violin Concerto.
- Chamber Orchestra "Turkiston" (Uzbekistan):
Paganini-Wilhelm Violin Concerto No. 1, Moses Variations.
Wieniawski’s Polonaise No. 2, Vieuxtemps’ Rondino.
Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen, Habanera.
Massenet’s Méditation, Vivaldi concertos, Espejo’s Air.
Concertmaster
Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra
09.2021 - Current
Chamber Music Experience
Chamber Music Experience
01.1989 - 01.1995
- Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Masterclass Performer (2024)
- Emerson Legacy Concert Series, Performer (2024)
- Starry Night Concert Series, Staller Center, Performer (2023)
- Emerson String Quartet Institute, Fellow (2022–2024)
- Collin Carr Piano Trio Seminar, Participant (2023)
- Stony Brook Baroque Players, Performer (2021–2024)
- Contemporary Chamber Players, Performer (2021–2023)
Artistic Collaborations & Contribution
to New Uzbek Music
01.1977 - 01.1984
- Musician/Assistant to Artistic Director – Omnibus Ensemble (2011–2017)
Contributed to Central Asia’s first contemporary music ensemble, performing new works and exploring the fusion of traditional Uzbek music with modern compositional techniques. Assisted with maintaining social media and communications for the ensemble. - Collaborator & Performer (2020–Present)
Partnered with composer Jakhongir Shukur to commission and help create five original works for solo violin, blending traditional Uzbek musical elements with contemporary techniques. Recorded and premiered these works in Uzbekistan, New York, and California. - Lecturer & Performer – Stony Brook University, USA | State Conservatory of Uzbekistan | Bonum Factum Gallery (2022–2023)
Gave a recital lecture on the fusion of traditional Uzbek music and contemporary violin techniques, sharing the results of my collaboration with Jakhongir Shukur.
- Performer & Lecturer – Hellerau Festival, Dresden, Germany (2023)
Presented and integrated the study of traditional Uzbek music in collaboration with Jakhongir Shukur, using our techniques for the collective composition of the Future Tradition Orchestra, composed of 18 international musicians.
Music Festivals
N/A
01.1980 - 01.1981
- Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, VT, USA, 2023
- The Future Tradition Orchestra, Dresden, Germany, 2023
- Pacific Music Festival, Sapporo, Japan, 2016 - 2019
- Freiburg Ensemble Academy, Freiburg, Germany, 2016
Education
DMA (Advanced) in Violin Performance -
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY05-2025
Performance Diploma -
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI05-2021
M. D. in Violin Performance -
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI05-2019
Bachelors in Violin -
State Conservatory of Uzbekistan
Tashkent, Uzbekistan06-2014
Selected Violin Master Classes:
Timeline
Senior Session Violin Faculty
Kinhaven Music School
06.2024 - Current
Concertmaster
Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra
09.2021 - Current
Teaching Assistant
Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY)
08.2021 - 06.2023
Teaching Assistant
Michigan State University
08.2017 - 06.2019
Assistant to Professor
State Conservatory of Uzbekistan
08.2014 - 06.2017
Performing Experience
Solo Performances With Orchestra
01.2014 - 01.2026
Outreach and Professional Activities
01.2008 - 01.2008
Chamber Music Experience
Chamber Music Experience
01.1989 - 01.1995
Music Festivals
N/A
01.1980 - 01.1981
Artistic Collaborations & Contribution
to New Uzbek Music
01.1977 - 01.1984
DMA (Advanced) in Violin Performance -
Stony Brook University
Performance Diploma -
Michigan State University
M. D. in Violin Performance -
Michigan State University
Bachelors in Violin -
State Conservatory of Uzbekistan
Selected Violin Master Classes:
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