Sofya Gulyak, Russia

Sofya Gulyak captured the First Prize in the 2007 William Kapell International Piano Competition with an electrifying performance of Sergei Rachmaninov's Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30 in the Final Concerto Round with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on July 20. Ms. Gulyak returned to the Center in 2008 to perform Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor (Op.15) with the National Orchestral Institute.

A native of Kazan, Russia, she studied there at a special music college for gifted children, and then at Kazan State Conservatory under Professor Elfiya Burnasheva. She graduated from Ecole Normale de music de Paris Alfred Cortot with first-class-honors.

In 2008 she won a shared first prize as well as the Audience Favorite Award at Tivoli International Piano Competition in Copenhagen, Denmark. The same year, she won the Gyeongnam International Piano Competition in South Korea and the Washington International Competition for Piano. These awards follow a lengthy series of prizes and other recognition at international piano competitions around the globe.

Ms. Gulyak has been honored with the role of scholar for the Russian Ministry of Culture, Mstislav Rostropovich Foundation and Russian President Foundation.