VALENTIN KOVALEV

Valentin Kovalev is a passionate and dedicated classical saxophonist who is seeking to elevate the voice of the saxophone in classical music. Named the winner of the most prestigious international saxophone competitions, Valentin is also the recipient of significant awards from foundations in France (Fondation pour la vocation), Russia (the Rostropovich Foundation), and the United States (Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia). His international career spans performances as a soloist across the U.S., Russia, France, Andorra, and Asia.

Valentin was recently named a winner of the 2024 CAG Louis and Susan Meisel Competition and, in addition, received the coveted Audience Award. As the recent winner of the esteemed Naumburg Foundation 2022 Saxophone Competition, during the 2023-2024 season, Valentin gave a sold-out debut recital at Carnegie Hall, premiering the newly commissioned piece by GRAMMY Award-winning composer Steven Mackey.

As an active educator, Valentin enjoys teaching masterclasses around the world. Having served as a saxophone professor at Rowan University in New Jersey, Valentin is excited to start in his next role as a visiting professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Valentin has recently recorded his masterclass and podcast for an online educational platform AdLibitum Class. In August 2023, Valentin had the honor of joining the acclaimed electronic dance music violinist, Lindsey Stirling, on stage in Portsmouth, VA, for a captivated audience of 6,000 people.

His musical journey from Siberia to studying saxophone in Moscow, obtaining an undergraduate degree from the esteemed Paris Conservatory, and completing a Master’s degree at the University of Michigan, exemplifies how determination and passion can surpass geographical limitations.

Valentin is accompanied by Jacob Coleman on piano.