Unique Master Classes on Syros during the Festival

Experience the magic of music-making up close with our Masterclasses. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to look 'behind the scenes' and witness the artistry and dedication that go into each performance.

Join us as talented musicians and renowned instructors come together, allowing you to observe the creative process, from the refinement of technique to the interpretation of musical expression. Whether you're a budding musician, an avid music lover, or simply curious about the inner workings of an ensemble, these sessions provide a captivating glimpse into the world of professional music preparation.

Masterclass

20
Wednesday
November
11:00
avatar
Apollon Theater

Public MasterclassEducation

Masterclass #1

Masterclass students

Lev Bogino, born into a family of musicians, began his musical journey in Paris, studying under Anton Martynov, Miroslav Roussine, and Igor Volochine. He furthered his education in the Netherlands with renowned instructors Boris Belkin, Ilya Grubert, and Elisabeth Perry. Over the years, he has participated in masterclasses with distinguished musicians such as Galina Tourchaninova, Marco Fiorentini, Dejan Bogdanovic, Hagai Shaham, Adolf Bruk, Pavel Vernikov, and Boris Kuschnir, among others.

Bogino has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in various countries, including Finland, Israel, France, Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, the USA, Estonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and the Netherlands. Formerly a member of the Florestan Ensemble, he is also a part of the association Parade, which organizes the Erik Satie Festival dedicated to the French composer in his hometown of Arcueil.

Pieter Streefkerk has been passionate about the violin since he first picked up a 1/8 violin at the age of five. His early training included the PI program for violin at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. Since 2017, he has been under the tutelage of Chris Duindam at the Utrecht Conservatory and a student at the Academy for Musical Talent (AMT). Recognizing his exceptional talent, the Dutch National Musical Instruments Fund provided him with a 1953 violin by Italian luthier Gaetano Pollastri.

Since 2019, Pieter has actively participated in national competitions and performed on major stages. He won several awards, including the Johan van den Boogert prize, the Britten violin competition in the youngest age category, and second prize in the National Violin Competition (Iordens B). His accolades also include first prize in the Britten Violin Competition (category II) and second prize in the Princess Christina Competition (category I).

Pieter has taken masterclasses with esteemed musicians and performed at significant events such as the Arthur Grumiaux Competition in Brussels and the Tonhalle in Zurich. In 2024, he received accolades at the international Triomphe de l’Art competition and participated in the Leonidas Kavakos Masterclasses in Athens. He has also toured with the Britten Youth String Orchestra and attended the Xenia International Chamber Music Course in Turin.

Pieter is an active participant in the Cugnon Projects and enjoys playing chamber music, regularly performing on various stages in the Netherlands. Currently, he is 16 years old and in the 5th grade of pre-university education (VWO) in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Kristina Georgieva, born in 2001 in Sofia, Bulgaria, made her solo debut with an orchestra at just eight years old. Some of her recent performances include the National Belgium Orchestra with conductor Maxim Vengerov, the Chamber Orchestra of Saint-Giron in France, Sonores Symfonieorkest Gent, and the Sofia Philharmonic.

Her artistic journey was shaped by her participation in the “Musica Mundi” festival, where she worked with Professor Leonid Kerbel for nearly a decade. Since 2022, she has been a member of the young faculty at the festival, mentoring the next generation of musicians.

Kristina has shared the stage with legendary artists such as Misha Maisky, Maxim Vengerov, Ivry Gitlis, and Emmanuel Pahud. Her versatility and sensitivity as a performer are evident in her ability to blend with diverse musical personalities.

Since winning her first competition at age seven, Kristina has triumphed in over 30 competitions across Europe. Notable honors include Young Musician of the Year from the Bulgarian National Radio, first prize at the "Rising Stars" competition in Berlin, the "Marie Cantagrill International Competition" in France, a gold medal at the Vienna International Music Competition, and second prize at the Leopold Auer competition in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Her 2023/2024 season is filled with notable performances, including works with the Kronos Quartet, a recital at Leipzig’s Mendelssohn House, and concerts as concertmaster for the Barenboim-Said Academy Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim. Additional highlights include performances with harpist Sivan Magen and a series of recitals across Belgium, France, and Germany.

Currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin under the guidance of Professor Mihaela Martin, Kristina continues to refine her artistry. Violinist Alexandra Soumm describes her as possessing natural curiosity, a desire to learn from the best, and incredible humility, qualities that will make her one of the big names of tomorrow.

Ioannis Nikolis is a 22 year old classical violinist from Athens Greece. He grew up in a music family and he graduated from the National Conservatory of Athens Greece at the age of 15 with prizes and honors in Panagiotis Nikolis class. He continued his studies in the GSMD London UK with professor Jacqueline Ross as an Athens Scholarship, Guildhall Financial Prize and Somateio Eirini scholar. He represented Greece in the European Union Youth Orchestra and he has been accepted in youth orchestras such as RCOYoung and Gustav Mahler GMJO.

Ioanns Nikolis is a prize winner of international music competitions in London Salzburg and New York. He has been accepted to perform in festivals such as Ibiza Concert Festival and masterclasses with Pinchas Zukerman Ilya Grubert Isaac Malkin etc. He has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall New York, Athens Megaron, Konzerthaus Berlin, Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam etc. Ioannis is under the guidance of German soloist Linus Roth, and he performs recitals concerts and gala events around the world such as Maria Callas Awards in Venice, his collaboration as a soloist with Athens Symphony Orchestra, and his sold out recitals in venues like Molyvos International Music Festival, Nakas Concert Hall Athens, Theocharakis Foundation, Pinakothiki Peiraeus etc.

Born in New York City in 2005, Annissa started playing the violin at the age of four. Currently a student of Itzhak Rashkovsky and Peter Herresthal, she holds a Master of Performance from the Royal College of Music in London, as an RCM Scholar, and a Bachelor of Music from the Royal Danish Academy of Music. She previously studied with Serguei Azizian.
Annissa had her solo debut with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra at the age of eight and has since performed with orchestras including Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, Camerata MHI, Oslo Chamber Festival orchestra, Bacau Philharmonic Orchestra, Oxford Philharmonic and various youth orchestras.
Annissa has acted as concertmaster for several Royal College of Music orchestras and numerous youth and festival orchestras in Sweden, Norway, Canada and Denmark. She has also led chamber groups in multiple RCM showcase performances. She is a teaching assistant to Peter Herresthal and is on faculty of the Young Musician’s Academy in Sweden.
Annissa has performed extensively across Scandinavia and Europe as well as in the United States. Recent highlights include London’s Wigmore Hall and New York’s Merkin Hall. Recent festival appearances include Taipei Music Academy Festival, Kaufmann SummerFest, Oslo Chamber Festival and Glafsfjordens Music Festival. In addition, she has performed in public masterclasses for, among others: Li Lin, Paul Roczek, Dora Schwarzberg, Olivier Charlier, Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, Pavel Vernikov, Milan Vitek, Patinka Kopec and Brian Lewis.
Since 2019, Annissa performs on a violin by Stefan-Peter Greiner on generous loan from the Augustinus Foundation.

Masterclasses Faculty

The Masterclasses program offers a multitude opportunities to develop their technical and interactive skills under the tutelage of Pinchas Zukerman, Tosca Opdam and Asi Matathias. Students would get 3 (open to the public) masterclasses as well as career guidance session with the world renowned Bernhard Kerres (former CEO and artistic director of the Vienna Konzerthaus) and Executive business coach Paul van der Schoot.