Concert Master

Yulia, a 21-year-old violinist from Chernivtsi, Ukraine, relocated to London to pursue her Bachelor's degree at the Royal Academy of Music, studying under Professor György Pauk and later Professor Robin Wilson, all on a full scholarship.

Conductor/ Organizer

Nickolai Svetlov Podvin is a distinguished conductor renowned for his commitment to music's transformative power. Podvin obtained his formal music education at North Park University, Augsburg University, and Illinois State University, earning a master’s degree in Conducting and Bassoon Performance in 2021, before further honing his craft at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he received his Artist Diploma in 2023.

During his time at the Academy, he organized a landmark student-led performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony—the first in over forty years—in a sold-out hall, following a precedent set by Sir Simon Rattle. His time in London included collaborations with distinguished conductors such as Edward Gardner, John Wilson, Martyn Brabbins, and Barbara Hannigan, contributing to a range of symphonic and contemporary chamber music projects. In recognition of his talent, the Royal Academy nominated him to represent the institution at a prestigious conducting workshop with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, where he was selected as one of only six conducting students from the United Kingdom’s leading conservatories.

Most recently, he placed fourth out of twelve in the Korean National Conducting Competition, competing alongside assistant conductors from the London Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Halle Orchestra.

Nickolai Svetlov Podvin’s career is defined by artistic excellence, cultural exploration, and a commitment to community engagement. Through his work, he continues to revive neglected masterpieces and champion underrepresented voices, creating powerful musical experiences that resonate with the enduring spirit of the orchestral tradition.

Guest Soloist-Piano

A native of Ukraine, pianist Pavlo Gintov has performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States. He has appeared as a soloist with renowned ensembles, including the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine,Tokyo Royal Chamber Orchestra, Shizuoka Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, and the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic. Over the course of his career, he has collaborated with distinguished conductors such as Michiyoshi Inoue, Victor Yampolsky, Thomas Sanderling, Vladimir Sirenko, and Shinsaku Tsutsumi.His performances have been broadcast widely across radio and television networks, including WFMT Chicago, WCLV Cleveland, Wisconsin Public Radio, and media outlets throughout Japan, Ukraine, and Europe.

Gintov earned First Prize at both the Takamatsu International Piano Competition and the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition, alongside honors such as the Bach Prize at the Rina Sala Gallo International Piano Competition and the Best Performance of Russian Music award at the Russian Music International Piano Competition in San Jose. A highly accomplished academic, he graduated with honors from the Moscow State Conservatory and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music, having studied under Lev Naumov, Daniil Kopylov, and Nina Svetlanova.

Beyond his solo career, Gintov is an avid chamber musician who has collaborated with notable artists including violinists Nina Beilina and Alena Baeva, cellists Yehuda Hanani and Marina Tarasova, tenor Neil Rosenshein, pianist Mykola Suk,and the woodwind quintet Windscape. He frequently performs alongside his sister, violinist Iryna Gintova, and was awarded the prize for best collaborative pianist at the International Paganini Violin Competition in Moscow.