Solomiya Ivakhiv, violin

Ukrainian born violinist SOLOMIYA IVAKHIV is a highly celebrated soloist, chamber musician and educator. Named one of the “major artists of our time” (Fanfare Magazine), she has made solo appearances with major orchestras in the United States, China, Turkey and Ukraine, and has performed at world-renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, CBC Glenn Gould Studio, Philharmonic Hall in Kyiv, and the Concertgebouw. She has been featured at chamber music festivals worldwide, from Tanglewood and Ottawa Chamberfest to Newport and Nevada Chamber Music Festivals and many in between. Dr. Ivakhiv’s discography includes Ukrainian Masters and Ukraine: Journey to Freedom (both on NAXOS), Mendelssohn Concertos (Brilliant Classics), and Haydn and Hummel Concertos and Poems and Rhapsodies (both on Centaur). Her recordings have been featured on streaming playlists, radio stations and broadcast networks around the globe. A champion of new music, she has premiered works b

Since 2010, Dr. Ivakhiv has served as Artistic Director of Music at the Institute (MATI) Concert Series in New York City, where she presents chamber programs featuring Ukrainian women composers, young Ukrainians, and newly commissioned works. She is Artistic Director of the Caspian Monday Music Festival in Greensboro, VT. A dedicated educator, Dr. Ivakhiv has led master classes and coached chamber music at Yale,Columbia, Boston Conservatory, Curtis SummerFest, Oberlin and others, as well as at conservatories in China and Ukraine. She was named Honored (Merited) Artist of Ukraine in 2021, her native country’s highest cultural honor. She holds degrees from Curtis Institute of Music and Stony Brook University and is Professor of Violin and Viola and Head of Strings.

JACQUES-PIERRE MALAN has performed cello concertos with Kwazulu Natal Philharmonic, Johannesburg Philharmonic, Capetown Philharmonic, Peabody Conductors Orchestra. His impeccable technique, endless energy, and unifying personality has allowed him to perform chamber music with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Jonathan Carney as well as numerous faculties from Julliard School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, and the Curtis Institute.

In 2016, after completing his Master's degree at Peabody Conservatory with Israeli cellist Amit Peled, Malan was invited to continue his contributions to the music world in America on an O1 Visa for Extraordinary Ability in the Arts which was sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Encounters Inc. and Friends of Chamber Music Concert Series. In less than two years, he founded the Baltimore String Quartets and Trios, a business that pairs upscale event planners with elite musicians, and Creative Concert Group, which produces visionary concert programs never been done before, including the Dvorak Cello Concerto performed with String Quartet, which Mr. Malan premiered in Washington DC. Mr. Malan’s work performing at the South African Embassy has led him to working as Artistic Program Coordinator for the Embassy Series, which, through putting on performances at embassies from all over the world, aims to unite people through musical diplomacy.

Mr. Malan comes home to South Africa every midyear to perform and visit his family. This year’s performances include the Haydn C Major in his home town Bloemfontein with the Free State Symphony Orchestra followed by recitals in Capetown of works by Bach, Schubert and Brahms.