Solomiya Ivakhiv has quickly earned a reputation for performing with “distinctive charm and subtle profundity” (Daily Freeman, New York) and “crystal clear and noble sound” (Culture and Life, Ukraine).
As a chamber musician and soloist, she has appeared at such prestigious music festivals as Tanglewood, Newport, Nevada Chamberfest, Verbier, Emerson Quartet Festival, Banff Centre and Ottawa Chamberfest (Canada), Musique de Chambre á Giverny (France), Kammermusik Bodensee (Switzerland), and Embassy Series with renowned artists including Joseph Silverstein, Gary Graffman, Roberto Diaz, Steven Isserlis, Philip Setzer, and Gil Kalish.
Dr. Ivakhiv has made solo appearances with the Istanbul State Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Henderson Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hunan Symphony Orchestra in China, the AACC, and the Bach Festival Orchestra. Her album, Ukraine- Journey to Freedom, was recorded with the Five time Grammy winner Judith Sherman, released by Labor Records for NAXOS of America and was featured at the top 5 released on iTunes.
She has performed solo and chamber music at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, CBC Glenn Gould Studio, Curtis Institute Field Concert Hall, Italian Academy in New York City, San Jose Chamber Music Society, Old First Concerts in San Francisco, Tchaikovsky Hall in Kyiv, and at UConn’s Jorgensen Center for Performing Arts.
Ivakhiv has conducted master classes, taught as visiting professor, and collaborated with prestigious universities and summer music programs including Yale University, Oberlin Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Columbia University, West Chester University, Temple University Music Preparatory, Curtis Summerfest, New York Summer Fest, and Guangzhou and Hunan Conservatories in China.
Passionate about educating young musicians, Ivakhiv also regularly collaborates with various high schools in outreach programs around the US. She created and presented children’s programs in collaboration with Ukraine’s “Muzychna Ukrayina” publishing house in order to ignite the interest of a younger demographic in classical music.
Teaching Philosophy
“The primary focus of my teaching is to guide students through the learning process and to encourage self-criticism. This enables students to incorporate their strengths and to work independently through their weaknesses.
“Educating, coaching, and mentoring students is a combination of having positive, patient encouragement without sacrificing quality. I am motivated by the challenge of helping students thrive.
“Demonstrating music is very important while teaching. I choose to play the piece a student is learning, exemplifying how I interpret it. I also encourage the student not to copy, but to find an individual way of understanding and expressing themselves.
“I believe students should cultivate a deep understanding of all areas of music. Performing diverse repertoire within various ensembles is essential for creative development. I work hard to impart this explorative spirit to my students through my own experience as soloist and chamber musician.
“I am also a firm believer that students learn tremendously in their off-campus experience and believe it is important for students to perform outside familiar environments. Being active in the community, performing at high schools, local churches, and retirement centers is a great way for students to gain performing experience and contribute to the community.”
Solomiya Ivakhiv is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with Joseph Silverstein, Pamela Frank, and Rafael Druian. During this time, she was concertmaster of both Curtis and Tanglewood Center Symphony Orchestras. She holds a DMA from Stony Brook University, where her principal teachers were Philip Setzer and Pamela Frank. In addition to her responsibilities at Longy, Assistant Professor of Violin/Viola and Head of Strings at University of Connecticut. Prior to this teaching post, she was Assistant Professor of Violin/Viola at Ohio University.