Through the course of my life, music has been all around me. My grandfather was a professional violinist during World War II, as well as my dad, who was a violinist too, but he made his own rock band at the age of 17, so he stopped playing. 
I got my first,  just about 12-inch-long violin at the age of 3, and it’s really been a huge mess since then, with me and my dad teaching me. I tried hiding, finding an excuse to get out of the studio where we practiced, and even thought of leaving the musician career behind. But something always kept me going. I really believe it’s all because of the music that lives in my family. My passion for music really started growing over the past 5 years, and it is the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced. Having to play at the Boston Symphony Hall at the age of 14 for the first time is the most breathtaking experience I've ever had, thanks to my dad, who kept up with me on the journey that is still not even 20% done. 


Recently, I auditioned for my third year at BPYO led by Benjamin Zander, and this is what he said after I played him  Prokofiev's 5th symphony - “Very wonderful, I can see you are very passionate about this music, it must be because of your Russian roots!”.  It couldn't be truer. The violin truly resonates with me.

– VF

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant