Hailing from Siberia, saxophonist, 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.
Visiting professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Valentin is an active educator who enjoys teaching masterclasses across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Valentin was recently named a winner and received the Audience Award from the prestigious Concert Artists Guild, a distinguished classical music management organization based in New York City.
Named the winner of the most prestigious international competition, Valentin is also the recipient of significant awards from foundations in France - Fondation pour la vocation, in Russia - Rostropovich Foundation, and the US - Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia. His international career spans performances as a soloist across the U.S., Russia, France, Andorra, and Asia. In 2021, he joined the roster of Astral Artists (Philadelphia) as a National Competition Winner.
As the recent winner of the esteemed Naumburg Foundation 2022 Saxophone Competition, Valentin gave a sold-out Debut Recital at Carnegie Hall premiering the newly commissioned piece by GRAMMY-winning composer Steven Mackey during the 2023-2024 season.
One of Valentin’s most noteworthy accomplishments has been building an engaged community of music lovers across his social media platforms, collectively surpassing 100,000 followers on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. This robust online presence has allowed him to share his passion for the saxophone, inspire others, and foster a thriving global community of music enthusiasts.
In response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, Mr. Kovalev organized a Benefit Concert in Ann Arbor, MI which raised over $17,000. This financial help went to purchase life-saving medical backpacks and to resettle Ukrainian refugees in the US.
Recipient of a Career Advancement Award 2023 from the Musical Fund Society in Philadelphia, Valentin won prizes at many international competitions, including:
Walter W. Naumburg Foundation's International Saxophone Competition – First Prize (USA, 2022);
Manhattan International Music Competition – First Great Award Winner (USA, 2022);
MTNA Young Artist Woodwind Competition — National Winner (USA, 2021);
University of Michigan Concerto Competition — Graduate Winner (USA, 2021);
Eugene Bossart Prize Winner (USA, 2021);
Online Saxiana International Competition — Unanimous First Prize (2021);
Classic Winds Competition — Second Prize (Israel, Tel Aviv, 2020);
AndorraSaxFest competition — First Prize (2019);
Anches simples de Toulouse competition — First Prize (2019);
EkaterinburgSaxFest — Grand-Prix (Russia, 2018).
Valentin began his education in Barnaul, Russia with Viktoria Fedyaj and Alexei Gotsulyak. He proceeded with his studies at the College of Gnessins in Moscow with Leonid Drutin, the College of Frederic Chopin in Moscow with Nikita Zimin, and finished his Bachelor’s degree at the Paris Conservatory with Claude Delangle. Valentin received his Master’s Degree studying with Timothy McAllister at the University of Michigan.
Valentin is represented by the Concert Artists Guild (New York). He is an endorsing artist of a French saxophone manufacturer “Henri Selmer Paris” and Conn-Selmer in the USA.