Sofya Gulyak

In September 2009 Sofya Gulyak was awarded the 1st prize and the Princess Mary Gold Medal at the Sixteenth Leeds International Piano Competition – the first woman who has achieved this distinction in the history of this competition.

Sofya Gulyak’s resume includes prizes at many prestigious piano competitions: she is a 1st prize winner of William Kapell International piano competition in USA, Maj Lind Helsinki International piano competition, Tivoli piano competition in Copenhagen, Gyeongnam International piano competition in South Corea, San Marino piano competition, 2nd prize winner (first not awarded) of Busoni competition in Italy and 3rd prize winner of Marguerite Long piano competition in Paris.

Sofya Gulyak is a native of Kazan (Russia) where she studied in a Special Music College, and then in Kazan State Conservatoire under professor Elfiya Burnasheva. Ms.Gulyak graduated also from “Ecole Normale de music de Paris Alfred Cortot” with the highest distinction. After she continued her studying in Piano Academy “Incontri col Maestri” (Imola, Italy) with Boris Petrushansky and in Royal College of Music with Vanessa Latarche.

Recitals and concert appearances have been numerous, with Ms. Gulyak having performed in various cities in Russia, Poland, France, Italy, Germany, Finland, United Kingdom, Norway, USA, Japan, Portugal, Switzerland, Morocco, Greece, South Korea.

Sofya Gulyak performed in Sala Verdi in Milan, Salle Cortot, Salle Gaveau and Salle Pleyel in Paris, Big concert Hall of Moscow Conservatoire, Konzerthaus in Berlin, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Sala Bossi in Bologna, Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, Leeds Town Hall, Salle Moliere in Lyon, Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, King Theatre in Rabat, Kursaal in Bern, Tivoli concert Hall in Copenhagen. Sofya Gulyak appeared as a soloist with Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Saint-Petersburg Philharmonic, Rio-de-Janeiro Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Halle Symphony Orchestra, Bucharest Philharmonic, Oulu Philharmonic, Helsinki Philharmonic, Morocco Orchestra, Copenhagen Symphony, Orchestre National de France, Baltimore Symphony.

She participated in many festivals, such as Klavier Ruhr Festival, Festival du Sceaux, Festival d’Annecy, International Keyboard Festival in New York, Liszt Festival in Villa d’Este, Nordlys Festival in Norway, Ravello Festival, Sorrento Music Festival.

Ms. Gulyak has beed honored with the role of scholar for the Rostropovich Foundation and Russian President Foundation. Ms. Gulyak also attended as a jury member at the international piano competitions in Italy, Serbia and Greece. Her playing was broadcasted on the radio and TV in Russia, Poland, France, Italy, Germany, USA, Finland, Denmark, United Kingdom.

Future highlights include appearances with London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony, Stavanger Symphony, Philippines Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra, concert tour with Halle Orchestra, tour in Asia, recitals in Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen, Kennedy Center in Washington, Herculessaal in Munich, as well as Harrogate festival, Busoni festival, Chopin festival in Duszniki-Zdroj.