Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

1983 in Sofia, Bulgaria

 

Zefira Valova is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant impact in the world of music. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, on May 5, 1975, Zefira showed an early interest in music. Her parents, both musicians, recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Zefira began her musical education at the age of six, studying the violin with her mother. She quickly showed a natural aptitude for the instrument and progressed rapidly. At the age of ten, she was accepted into the National School of Music in Sofia, where she continued her studies under the tutelage of some of Bulgaria's most respected violin teachers. In 1990, Zefira won first prize in the National Violin Competition in Bulgaria, which marked the beginning of her professional career. She went on to win several other competitions, including the International Violin Competition in Sion, Switzerland, and the International Violin Competition in Kloster Schöntal, Germany. In 1993, Zefira moved to the United States to study at the Juilliard School in New York City. She studied with some of the most renowned violin teachers in the world, including Dorothy DeLay and Itzhak Perlman. During her time at Juilliard, Zefira won the school's concerto competition, which led to her debut performance with the Juilliard Orchestra. After graduating from Juilliard, Zefira began her professional career as a soloist and chamber musician. She has performed with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She has also collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle, Zubin Mehta, and Valery Gergiev. Zefira has performed in some of the world's most renowned concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Berlin Philharmonic. She has also performed at many of the world's leading music festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh Festival, and the Tanglewood Music Festival. In addition to her solo career, Zefira is also an accomplished chamber musician. She has performed with some of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Emerson String Quartet, the Guarneri String Quartet, and the Tokyo String Quartet. She is also a founding member of the Valova Trio, which has received critical acclaim for its performances and recordings. Zefira has recorded extensively, with over 20 albums to her name. Her recordings have received numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy nomination for her recording of the Brahms Violin Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra. Zefira is also a dedicated teacher, and has taught at some of the world's leading music schools, including the Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory, and the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is currently a professor of violin at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Throughout her career, Zefira has received numerous awards and honors. In 2003, she was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which is one of the most prestigious awards for young musicians in the United States. She has also been awarded the S&R Washington Award, the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, and the Pro Musicis International Award. Zefira is known for her passionate and expressive performances, as well as her technical virtuosity.

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