Evgeny Sorkin
Resume
Russian born violinist Evgeny Sorkin has been in demand as performer from a very early age. Showing immense musical talent, by the age of 10 legendary American violinist Isaac Stern had invited Evgeny for a concert tour of the USA including a performance at the Department of State in Washington for the ambassadors to the USA. When Evgeny was 16, Sir Yehudi Menuhin likened his playing to that of young David Oistrakh.
Evgeny has graduated from the Moscow State Conservatorium receiving magna cum laude distinction upon his graduation. After moving to Australia Evgeny studied with Associate Professor Alice Waten at the Australian National Academy of Music and at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where he was the first person ever to receive a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Sydney.
Evgeny Sorkin was a member of The International Holland Music Sessions from 2006. He toured many countries as a soloist, appearing at venues such as Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatorium (Moscow), Hamer Hall (Melbourne). Evgeny has performed extensively as a member of the Brevis Trio receiving a recognition medal from the Union of Russian Composers for the promotion and performance of contemporary music. Evgeny has been awarded many prizes in international competitions including winning the 6th Togliatti International Violin Competition, and receiving 2nd Prize at the 18th Caltanissetta International Chamber Music Competition, and top Prizes in Taneev International Competition and Gisborne International Music Competition.
In 2006 Evgeny began teaching violin at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne. In 2009 he became a staff member at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Having had the experience of performing from a very young age, Evgeny is sensitive to the many technical, psychological and musical aspects of working with young promising musicians. In 2017 and 2019 at the Violin Pedagogy Conference in Sydney Evgeny has both presented lectures and gave public masterclasses. His students have been very successful in competitions, including a number of prize winners of the KPO NSW Secondary Schools Concerto competition, Winner of the National Youth Concerto Competition (2019), Winner of the Animato International Violin Competition (2016). Some have gone on to pursue musical studies overseas receiving scholarships in Juilliard and New England Conservatory of Music.
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy is largely influenced by the Russian violin tradition where technical mastery serves artistic purpose. My central focus is to help students develop an understanding of how things work from the technical and artistic point of view and apply that knowledge to their performance. This includes developing creative and stylistically aware musicians, but also forming tension free and flexible movements that allow students to perform with ease and maintain an injury-free career in music.