Valentin Kovalev

Saxophonist, educator, and content creator Valentin Kovalev is an ebullient and highly eclectic performer whose unique style was developed after studying in Russia, France, and the US. Hailing from Siberia, he strives to demonstrate how passion and perseverance can transcend geographical boundaries, using his music to inspire and empower others in the pursuit of their dreams. His work is driven by his passion for fostering connections, offering support to Ukrainian saxophonists, and amplifying marginalized voices in the classical music world.

Named the winner of the most prestigious international competition, such as MTNA Competition (US), Manhattan International Music Competition (US), Classic Winds Competition (Israel), AndorraSaxFest (Andorra), Anches Simples de Toulouse (France), EkaterinburgSaxFest (Russia), GoldenSax (Ukraine), Valentin is also the recipient of significant awards from foundations in France - Fondation pour la Vocation, in Russia - Rostropovich Foundation, and in the US - Musical Fund Society. Valentin performed at Carnegie Hall, soloed with many prestigious orchestras in his native Russia, France, and the US, toured ten cities in China, and performed in several countries in Europe. Valentin is a Henri Selmer, Paris artist, and is represented by Astral Artists of Philadelphia.

As the recent winner of the esteemed Naumburg Foundation 2022 Saxophone Competition, Valentin is excited for his Carnegie Hall Debut Recital in the 2023-2024 season with a premier of newly commissioned piece from American composer Steve Mackey. Valentin's musical journey brought him from studying saxophone in Siberia to Moscow, obtaining an undergraduate degree from the esteemed Paris Conservatory, and completing a Master's degree at the University of Michigan.

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

One of Valentin's most significant achievements has been cultivating an engaged community of over 55,000 music lovers across his social media platforms. Valentin's Instagram account (@valentinkmusic) has amassed 30,000 followers, while his YouTube channel (V&A TV) boasts 25,000 subscribers. These platforms have allowed him to share his passion for the saxophone, inspire others, and foster a global community of music lovers.

Juliette Kang

Juliette Kang has been the first associate concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra since 2005. Previously assistant concertmaster of the Boston Symphony and a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Ms. Kang's solo engagements have included the San Francisco Symphony, l'Orchestre National de France, the Baltimore Symphony, the Boston Pops, and every major orchestra in Canada. Internationally she has performed with the Czech Philharmonic, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the Singapore Symphony, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and the KBS Symphony in Seoul. She has given recitals in Philadelphia, Paris, Tokyo, and Boston. In 1994 she won first prize of the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. She has also recorded the Schumann and Wieniawski violin concertos with the Vancouver Symphony for CBC Records.

As a chamber musician, Juliette has participated in festivals including Bravo! Vail, Bridgehampton (Long Island, NY), Kingston (RI), Marlboro, Moab (UT), Skaneateles (NY), and Spoleto USA. In New York she has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center; at the Mostly Mozart Festival and at the Bard Music Festival. With Philadelphia Orchestra colleague violist Che Hung Chen, pianist Natalie Zhu, and cellist Clancy Newman she is a member of the Clarosa Quartet, dedicated to exploring and enriching the piano quartet repertoire.

After receiving a Bachelor of Music degree at age 15 from Curtis as a student of Jascha Brodsky, Ms. Kang earned a Master of Music degree at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Dorothy Delay and Robert Mann. She was a winner of the 1989 Young Concert Artists Auditions, and she subsequently received first prize at the Menuhin Violin Competition of Paris in 1992. She lives in Queen Village with her husband and two daughters.