Sergej Bolkhovets is New Junior Fellow in Conducting

The RNCM is delighted to announce Sergej Bolkhovets as its new Junior Fellow in Conducting, commencing in September 2016.

Sergej, who was born in St Petersburg, was one of 12 candidates chosen to attend the live auditions in February, selected from over 60 applications worldwide. Three candidates made it through to the final round, each conducting the RNCM Symphony Orchestra in one movement of Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony, following four rounds featuring contemporary and chamber orchestra repertoire. This year’s panel was Sir Mark Elder (Music Director of the Hallé and the RNCM’s International Chair in Conducting), Clark Rundell (Head of Conducting, RNCM), Dr Michelle Castelletti (Artistic Director, RNCM) and Mark Heron (Tutor in Conducting, RNCM).

A graduate of the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin and Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sergej – an international award-winning violinist – studied conducting with Ulrich Metzger and Felix Kreiger, and has taken part in masterclasses with Kenneth Kiesler, Mark Heron, Jac van Steen and Paavo Järvi. Last year he started his studies at the Weimar Musikhochschule with Markus Frank and rejoined the Royal College of Music in Stockholm to study with B Tommy Andersson. On his appointment as RNCM Junior Fellow, he said:

‘Being awarded the prestigious Junior Fellowship at the RNCM is like dream come true – such an honorable, important, and inspiring step for my development as a conductor.

‘I’ve been a professional violinist from a young age, performing as a soloist, section player and guest leader with many of Europe’s leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, as well as teaching for over 16 years. It seems to me that all of these events have taken place in my life in order to prepare my path as a conductor.

‘I feel very humbled to have been selected as the next RNCM Junior Fellow in Conducting and look forward to not only learning and growing as a conductor, but to sharing my abilities and experiences with the College’s wonderful students.’

Sergej will now receive tuition from Sir Mark Elder, Clark Rundell and visiting conductors, as well as conduct the RNCM Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and benefit from the College’s strong links with the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata. The RNCM developed special partnerships with the BBC Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras where Junior Fellows, as well as postgraduate conducting students, work as Assistant Conductor several times a year.

23 February 2016