Valentin Kovalev, saxophone

Saxophonist, educator, and content creator Valentin Kovalev is an ebullient and highly eclectic performer whose unique style was developed after studying in Russia, France, and the US. Hailing from Siberia, he strives to demonstrate how passion and perseverance can transcend geographical boundaries, using his music to inspire and empower others in the pursuit of their dreams. His work is driven by his passion for fostering connections, offering support to Ukrainian saxophonists, and amplifying marginalized voices in the classical music world.

A passionate and dedicated classical saxophonist, Kovalev is seeking to explore the possibility of positioning the saxophone at the heart of classical music. He won the esteemed Naumburg Foundation 2022 Saxophone Competition and made his Carnegie Hall Debut recital during the 2023-24 season. In addition, he is the winner of several international competitions including the Manhattan International Music Competition (U.S.), MTNA Young Artist Woodwind Competition (U.S.), Classic Winds Competition (Israel), AndorraSaxFest (Andorra), Anches Simples de Toulouse (France), EkaterinburgSaxFest (Russia), GoldenSax (Ukraine), and is a recipient of the 2023 Career Advancement Award from the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia. One of Valentin’s most significant achievements has been cultivating an engaged community of over 55,000 subscribers across his social media platforms. He is a Henri Selmer, Paris artist, and a winner of the 2021 Astral National Competition.