Ottawa, ON, K1T 3Z1
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info@ottawaviolinlessons.com

Gelena’s Story

My journey with the violin began at the age of six and from that time this wonderful instrument became a part of my life.

I studied at the Odesa Special Stolyarsky Music School (Ukraine), founded in 1933. It is the first school that was established for musically gifted children in the former USSR by P.S. Stolyarsky. Counted among its graduates are world-famous violinists such as David Oistrakh, Nathan Milstein, Elizaveta Gilels, Zakhar Bron and Pavel Vernikov.

After graduating from the Stolyarsky Music School, I pursued a teaching diploma at the Mykolaiv Music College (Ukraine), graduating with honours as a violin teacher, orchestral violinist, and chamber and folk orchestra conductor.

I continued my musical studies at the A.V. Nezhdanova Odesa National Academy of Music where I received my undergraduate university degree under the supervision of the violin professor M.A. Turchinskiy.

Having completed my Bachelor’s degree with honours, I proceeded to complete my Master’s degree at the same conservatory, during which time I wrote an original work on the “Technical Nature of Vibrato.”

For many years I held the position of soloist and concertmaster (first chair violinist) at the Mykolaiv Philharmonic Chamber orchestra (Ukraine).

After my Master’s degree I went on to pursue postgraduate doctoral level studies on the violin in Kyiv (Ukraine), and occupied a teaching position as a professor at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Art, teaching violin. 

The Piano was also a lifelong and fundamental part of my learning, as the Ukrainian system of musical education requires all violin students to learn the piano throughout their studies. And from that time my music life is closely connected to this beautiful instrument.

In 2008, I moved to Canada, where I began performing with the Ottawa Symphonic Ensemble, the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and the Strings of St. John’s Chamber Orchestra.

I have considerable performance experience, thanks to which I have participated in a number of festivals and concerts in various European countries over the years:

  • Chamber music festivals in Santa Margherita Ligure and Portogruaro (Italy)
  • Symphonic orchestra performances directed by Sergei Stadler in Freiburg (Germany)
  • Concertmaster (first chair violinist) of the symphonic orchestra of Rouen (France)
  • Solo concerts for two violins as well as accompanist to a vocalist for a professional recording, also in Rouen

Currently, I am dedicated to teaching the violin to individuals. I take great pleasure in helping students with the improvement and development of their violin skills, abilities and techniques. I also mentor students on performance and musical professionalism. I enjoy giving master classes to promising students, some of which I recently gave in New Jersey, USA.

Reach out to Gelena!

My journey with the violin began at the age of six and from that time this wonderful instrument became a part of my life.

I studied at the Odessa Special Stolyarsky Music School (Ukraine), founded in 1933. It is the first school that was established for the musically gifted children in the former USSR by P.S. Stolyarsky. Counted among its graduates are world-famous violinists such as David Oistrakh, Nathan Milstein, Elizaveta Gilels, Zakhar Bron and Pavel Vernikov.

After graduating from the Stolyarsky Music School, I pursued a teaching diploma at the Mikolayiv Music College (Ukraine), graduating with honours as a violin teacher, orchestral violinist, and chamber and folk orchestra conductor.

I continued my musical studies at the A.V. Nezhdanova Odesa National Academy of Music where I received my undergraduate university degree under the supervision of the violin professor M.A. Turchinskiy.

Having completed my Bachelor’s degree with honours, I proceeded to complete my Master’s degree at the same conservatory, during which time I wrote an original work on the “Technical Nature of Vibrato.”

For many years I held the position of soloist and concertmaster (first chair violinist) at the Mykolaiv Philharmonic Chamber orchestra (Ukraine).

After my Master’s degree I went on to pursue postgraduate doctoral level studies on the violin in Kyiv (Ukraine), and occupied a teaching position as a professor at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Art, teaching violin. 

The Piano was also a lifelong and fundamental part of my learning, as the Ukrainian system of musical education requires all violin students to learn the piano throughout their studies. And from that time my music life is closely connected to this beautiful instrument.

In 2008, I moved to Canada, where I began performing with the Ottawa Symphonic Ensemble, the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and the Strings of St. John’s Chamber Orchestra.

I have considerable performance experience, thanks to which I have participated in a number of festivals and concerts in various European countries over the years:

  • Chamber music festivals in Santa Margherita Ligure and Portogruaro (Italy)
  • Symphonic orchestra performances directed by Sergei Stadler in Freiburg (Germany)
  • Concertmaster (first chair violinist) of the symphonic orchestra of Rouen (France)
  • Solo concerts for two violins as well as accompanist to a vocalist for a professional recording, also in Rouen

Currently, I am dedicated to teaching the violin to individuals. I take great pleasure in helping students with the improvement and development of their violin skills, abilities and techniques. I also mentor students on performance and musical professionalism. I enjoy giving master classes to promising students, some of which I recently gave in New Jersey, USA.

Reach out to Gelena!