Sophia Kirsanova

Latvian violinist Sophia Kirsanova enjoys a diverse career, having made numerous solo, chamber music appearances and held orchestral positions throughout Europe, Australia, Israel, and since 2019 has been based in Melbourne.

In 2024, Sophia released her solo album The Morning Mist on the SKANI label dedicated to Latvian composers, which includes international collaborations and new commissioned works. The album received critical acclaim as “a fascinating and rewarding snapshot of violin-led Latvian music” (Limelight) and “outstanding playing” from The WholeNote. In recognition of her research and promotion of Latvian composers, she was awarded the K. Barona Award by the World Federation of Free Latvians.

Sophia’s orchestral career has included 1st Violin positions with Sinfonietta Riga (2006/7) and Israel Camerata (2009–2018), as well as guest principal and tutti roles with various orchestras. Sophia has been a member of the Piano Trio RAM (2009-12) and Duo Brozgul-Kirsanova (since 2022). Sophia has appeared as a soloist with orchestras, including the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and frequently with the Israel Camerata. She has given recitals in Europe, Israel and Australia (Melba Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre) and continues to appear regularly in concerts and festivals. In 2022, Sophia founded Melbourne Strings, of which she is the lead violinist and program curator.

Besides performance, Sophia is a devoted educator. Since 2021, she has taught violin at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, maintains an active private studio, gives masterclasses and serves as an adjudicator.

Her musical training began in Latvia at the Em.Dārziņš Specialist Music School with Nelli Sarkisian and continued at the Latvian Academy of Music with Prof. Juris Švolkovskis. She further developed through numerous courses and masterclasses in Europe and travelled to study with Prof. Michael Gaisler at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, where she completed Bachelor and Master degrees. Later, she received the Artist Diploma from the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel-Aviv University in collaboration with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra practicum, studying with Prof. Hagai Shaham. In 2023, Sophia got her PhD in Performance from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, the University of Melbourne.