Igor Khukhua

Born in Siberia in 1992, Igor Khukhua started playing violin at the age of four and is internationally recognized for his charismatic temperament, bright musical expression and sparkling technique. Having achieved top prizes in numerous, international violin competitions, he is revered as an outstanding young soloist, recitalist and chamber musician.

Khukhua is the recipient of prestigious awards from around the globe. He was only eight when he won First Prize at the Russian String Competition in Barnaul, Russia. Most recently, in 2020, he won Third Prize at Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition in Florida. He earned First Prize at the Naftzger Artists Competition in Wichita, Kansas, in 2018 and was awarded Second Prize at the Hudson Valley Philharmonic String Competition in New York the year prior. He was a participant of the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2015 and received Second Prize at the 2nd Russian National Music Competition in Moscow, Russia in 2014. In 2012, he won Grand Prix at the 4th International Violin Competition in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

In 2007, he was accepted into Murom Novosibirsk’s College of Music. From 2011-2016, he studied at the Moscow State Conservatory for his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music with instruction by Professor Eduard Grach. During his education, he performed in the Russian National Orchestra led by Artistic Director Michail Pletnev, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra with Artistic Director Yuri Simonov and the Moscovia Orchestra under the baton of Artistic Director Eduard Grach.

In 2016, Khukhua was employed with the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra under Artistic Director Yuri Temirkanov. He left thereafter to pursue additional music study in the United States at the International Center of Music of Park University to receive his Artist Diploma in Violin Performance under the instruction of professor Ben Sayevich. In 2019, he was granted the position as Assistant Professor in Violin Performance at Park University. During his education in the U.S., he worked with the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra and will be joining the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for the 2022/23 season.

In addition to his formal studies, he has taken part in masterclasses with prominent, international artists such as Zakhar Bron, Ivry Gitlis, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Daniel Veis, Mauricio Fuks, Pavel Vernikov, Vadim Gluzman, Ilya Gringolts, Ani Schnarch and Irena Muresanu. He also participated in the distinguished Keshet Eilon International String Mastercourse in Israel.

Khukhua has performed as a soloist and chamber musician at renowned venues worldwide including the Great Hall of Moscow State Conservatory, Moscow International Music House, Tchaikovsky Moscow Concert Hall, Ríos Reyna Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the Folly Theater Hall. His repertoire includes violin concertos by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Jean Sibelius, Johannes Brahms among many others. As a soloist, he has performed with illustrious orchestras in Russia, Israel, Croatia, Poland and the United States.