Pacific ChamberFest's Guest Artist
Ilya Rashkovskiy
Born in Irkutsk, Russia in 1984, Ilya Rashkovskiy debuted at age 8 with the Irkutsk Chamber Music Orchestra. He won the 2nd place at the Long – J. Thibaud Competition (2001), 1st place at the Hong Kong International Competition (2005), 4th at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, 3rd place at the Artur Rubinstein Piano Masters in Tel Aviv (2011) and the 1st place at the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition. He studied in Novosibirsk, Hannover and Paris with Mary Lebenzon, Vladimir Krainev and Marian Rybicki.
He collaborated as a soloist with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Mariinsky Orchestra, the Orchestre national de Lille, the Gulbenkian Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Belgium, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Russian State Symphony, the Romanian National Orchestra amongst many others. Ilya performed in several prestigious concert venues throughout the world, such as the Théatre du Châtelet, the Salle Playel, the Cologne Philharmonic Hall, the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, the Suntory Hall in Tokyo and Taipei National Concert Hall.
He is also active as a chamber musician, having collaborated with musicians such as Akiko Suwanai, Sayaka Shoji, Gary Hoffman, Daniel Lozakovich, Clara Jumi Kang, Bomsori, Borodin and Shanghai String Quartets. He recorded several CDs including Chopin Complete Etudes as well as Scriabin Complete Piano Sonatas.
Since 2017 he is also a guest professor at Sungshin Woman’s University in Seoul.
He has served as a jury member at the 12th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in 2024.
Mission Statement:
The Pacific ChamberFest is an international classical music event that celebrates the joy of music-making each summer in a different memorable location around the world. The Festival presents a diverse and exciting fusion of unique educational and artistic opportunities, carefully crafted to accommodate a broad spectrum of musical perspectives from a large-scale ensemble to an intimate duo. The Festival’s mission is to shape an environment for the emerging talented artists to nurture and maximize their artistic potential by rehearsing, collaborating, and performing classical music alongside the professional musicians.
Festival Details
The Pacific ChamberFest is a classical music festival for talented artists to nurture and maximize their potential through a diverse and exciting fusion of unique educational and artistic opportunities, carefully crafted to accommodate a broad spectrum of musical perspectives from a large-scale ensemble to an intimate duo.
Dates: August 1–9, 2025
Location: Ettlingen School of Music, Ettlingen Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Application Dates: by April 30, 2025 11:59pm
Tuition Fee:
The participant’s non-refundable tuition fee is $2199 for the entirety of the festival and the observer’s non-refundable festival fee is $999. Both are due by May 15, 2025.
Participant’s tuition includes: private lessons, Masterclasses, Chamber coaching/rehearsals, concerts and accommodation only.
Observer’s festival fee includes: access to all classes, concerts, and accommodation only.
All accommodation is based on double occupancies. Triple occupancy is upon request.
Participants under the age of 14 must be accompanied by at least one parent or adult observer throughout the entire festival.
Application Guidelines:
- Festival is open to any of the following instruments: piano, strings, clarinet, and flute.
- Submit an application form including a YouTube video(s) of yourself playing any piece(s) for us to determine performance level. The application and video are due by April 30, 2025 11:59pm.
- Participant roster will be announced on May 1, 2025.
- If selected, your chamber music chosen from the provided chamber music repertoire must be ready to perform on the first day of the Festival.
- Click the button below to taken to the application form. For any questions, please email pacificchamberfest@gmail.com
Festival Itinerary:
August 1, 2025 – “First Play” 4:00-6:00 PM, followed by a “welcome party”
August 2-8, 2025 – ChamberFest events, 9:00AM – 3:00PM (lunch not included)
- Two 45 min individual chamber coaching sessions with Festival Faculty
- Two 45 min chamber rehearsal with Festival Faculty
- Two Piano duet/Ensemble rehearsals
- Masterclasses with Guest Artist and Festival Faculty
- Musicianship classes
- Daily Individual practices
August 5, 2025 – Day Trip to Strasbourg, France (Fees are not included)
August 9, 2025 – Festival Gala Concert, 9:00AM – 1:00PM
- Chamber Recitals
- Piano Duet Recitals
- Ensemble Concerts
- Faculty Concert
Chamber Music Repertoire:
violin, violin/flute, piano
piano, violin, cello
piano, violin, cello
violin, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
piano, violin, cello
violin/flute, violin/flute, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
violin/flute, violin/flute, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
violin, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
piano, violin, viola, cello
piano, violin, violin, viola, cello
violin, violin, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
violin/flute, violin/flute, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
piano, violin, cello
piano, violin, cello
violin, violin, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
clarinet, viola and piano
piano, violin, cello
piano, violin, cello
piano, violin, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
piano, violin, cello
violin, violin, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
piano, violin, cello
piano, violin, violin, viola, cello
piano, violin, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
violin, violin, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
solo violin, violin, violin, viola, cello, (bass)
Pacific ChamberFest Faculty
Masae Kobayashi (Violin)
The Tokyo-born violinist Masae Kobayashi began playing the violin at the age of five. After completing her studies at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Japan under Professor Akiko Tatsumi, she continued her education at the Berlin University of the Arts with Professor Uwe- Martin Haiberg, earning both her diploma and concert exam with distinction. She received further artistic inspiration from musicians such as Thomas Brandis, Saschko Gawriloff, Zakhar Bron, Gérard Poulet, Mihaela Martin, and Philippe Graffin.
She has won prizes in various competitions, including the International Michelangelo Abbado Violin Competition, the International “Premio Rodolfo Lipizer” Violin Competition in Italy, and the International Canetti Violin Competition in Lisbon.
As a soloist, Masae Kobayashi has performed with the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, the Cracow Chamber Orchestra, the Salzburg Chamber Orchestra, and the Neue Sinfonieorchester Berlin. She has also given numerous recitals across various European countries and in Asia.
In 2016, her solo CD My Favorites was released in Japan, followed by Spring Songs in 2023.
After working as assistant concertmaster at the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Staatstheater Cottbus, she joined the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt in 2017 as the principal second violin. During the 2018/19 season, she performed as concertmaster there. Since 2021, she has been engaged as the principal second violin at the Badische Staatskapelle.
Additionally, she is a sought-after guest musician, having performed with the MDR Symphony Orchestra, the German Chamber Orchestra Berlin, the Stuttgart State Orchestra, and the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne. She has also appeared as concertmaster with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Symphony Berlin, and Camerata Schweiz.
Alongside her concert activities, she is also dedicated to training younger students and aspiring musicians.
Irina Chistiakova (Piano)
Irina Chistiakova was born in a family of musicians. Enrolled in the Central Music School in Moscow at the age of 6 under the guidance of Professor Anatoly Riabov, Irina’s prodigious talent became evident as she performed Chopin compositions in the grand hall of the Conservatory at just 9. By 11, she graced concert halls across Russia, Germany, and France, winning prizes both as a soloist and in duets with her sister Galina.
Irina starred in the films „Russias children-prodigy“ (2000) and ist sequel „The competitors“ (2010), directed by Irene Langemann. In 2008, she joined Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory, studying under Professor Mikhail Voskresensky and graduating with honors in 2013 as a solo concert pianist.
Her international debut took place in April 2014 at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, featuring works by Scriabin, Schubert, and Schumann. Irina garnered prizes in prestigious competitions worldwide, including the A. Rubinstein International Competition in Poland, C. Arrau International Competition in Chile, and the European Piano Competition in Germany.
Invited by conductor Enrique Batiz, Irina performed with the State Symphony Orchestra of Mexico,embarking on a 23-concert tour across the USA in 2015.
She began studying at the University of the Arts in Berlin in 2014, completing her Master of Performance with distinction in 2017 under Professors Jacques Rouvier and Markus Groh.
In 2017, Irina released a CD with “Kawai Edition,” and her concerts were broadcasted live by ARTE, the Russian Cultural Channel, and Mexico’s state radio and television. As the laureate of the European Competition in Bremen (2018), she collaborated with the Bremer Philharmoniker, conducted by Benjamin Bayl.
Irina has also worked with such renowned conductors as Theodor Currentzis, José Guadalupe Flores, Steven Sloane and Eitan Globerson.
Irina has served multiple times as a jury member at international piano competitions and also gives master classes as part of the „Music Fest Perugia“ (Italy) and „Pacific Chamber Fest“ (USA) festivals.
In 2017 Irina began her studies in vocal performance with Malin Hartelius at the University of the Arts in Bern. In 2023, she earned her MA in Performance and currently balances her roles as a concert pianist, singer in the „Basler Madrigalisten“ vocal ensemble, and head of the piano department at the Ettlingen Music School.
Valery Zilman (Cello)
The Russian-born cellist Valery Zilman began his musical education at the music school in Kazan. He then continued his studies at the Special Music School and the Mussorgsky Conservatory in Yekaterinburg. Upon graduating from the Russian Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow, he received a university diploma.
To further refine his skills, he completed additional studies at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and the Mannheim University of Music in the field of “Chamber Music Ensemble.”
Valery Zilman attended numerous master classes with Heinrich Schiff, Viktoria Yagling, Arto Noras, David Grigorian, Siegfried Palm, Eleonora Schoenfeld, Martin Lovett, and Leslie Parnas.
He won first prize at the International Brahms Competition in Austria, was a scholarship holder and member of the Podium Young Musicians Foundation, received third prize at the International Chamber Music Competition “Città di Pinerolo” in Italy, and was a scholarship recipient of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Philharmonic.
He has performed in various orchestras, including the SWR Orchestra Baden-Baden and Freiburg, the SWR Radio Orchestra Kaiserslautern, as a leader with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the City of Heidelberg, in the Saarbrücken Radio Orchestra, as the first solo cellist at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, and at the Luxembourg Philharmonic.
His repertoire covers a remarkable range of works from different stylistic periods, from classical to contemporary music, spanning solo performances to larger chamber music ensembles.
Michael Sporov (Piano)
Michael Sporov has captivated audiences across Europe with his interpretative novelty and imaginative performances. Born in Gorky, USSR in 1984, he later became a German citizen after moving to Germany in 2004.
Mr. Sporov studied with Vladimir Krainev in Hanover and Adrian Oetiker in Basel. Additionally he honed his skills at masterclasses with Elisabeth Leonskaja, Zoltán Kocsis, and Alfred Brendel.
He made his debut with the Basel Symphony Orchestra in 2009, conducted by Daniel Klajner.
In 2012 he became a prize winner at the renowned Geneva International Music Competition.
Mr. Sporov has had the opportunity to perform at several prestigious venues throughout Europe, including Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, Ukraine, and Romania.
In addition to his solo performances, Sporov is also a passionate chamber musician. He collaborates with his wife, Irina Chistiakova, who is also a pianist and mezzo-soprano.
Sporov has made recordings for the Swiss classical music label Claves Records.
Since 2024, he has been leading a piano class at the Ettlingen Music School in Germany.
Evgeniy Sporov (Violin/Viola)
Dr. Evgeniy Sporov is a distinguished violinist, violist, conductor, educator, and music administrator with a career spanning over three decades. He has performed extensively as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player.
Currently, Dr. Sporov serves as an Adjunct Professor of Violin and Viola at William Jessup University, where he also conducts the chamber orchestra. Additionally, he is the conductor and artistic director of the Folsom Lake College Youth Chamber Orchestra, for which he played a pivotal role in developing the curriculum. As the Academic Advising Coordinator at the Pacific Institute of Music, he oversees educational programs while maintaining a thriving violin and viola studio.
Beyond academia, Dr. Sporov is an accomplished orchestral musician. His orchestral experience includes serving as concertmaster, assistant concertmaster, and section violinist with several symphony orchestras, including the Traverse Symphony, Midland Symphony, Jackson Symphony, Stockton Symphony, Lansing Symphony, Modesto Symphony, Solano Symphony, and the Michigan State Symphony Orchestra.
A dedicated music educator, Dr. Sporov has held faculty positions at esteemed institutions and summer programs such as the Interlochen Fine Arts & Blue Lake Fine Arts Camps. Prior to relocating to the United States in 2000, he served as the regional supervisor for the string departments of 127 music schools and three music colleges in Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia.
Dr. Sporov is also a board member of the Classical Masters Music Festival and serves as the president of Pacific ChamberFest, an international chamber music program dedicated to fostering young artistic talent.
His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and a Master of Music in Chamber Music from the Glinka State Conservatory. In 2006, he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from Michigan State University.
Dr. Bonnie Lin (Violin)
A native of Tainan, Taiwan, Bonnie Lin began studying the violin at the age of ten and has since established herself as a distinguished performer and educator. She has given numerous solo and chamber music recitals across Taiwan and the United States and is a recipient of prestigious awards, including the Evergreen Music Scholarship and the Hugo Kortschak Chamber Music Award from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
Dr. Lin earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the City University of New York in 2008. Since returning to Taiwan in 2000, she has gained recognition as both an exceptional performer and a dedicated teacher. She currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at National Kaohsiung Normal University and National Tainan University.
In 2006, Dr. Lin joined the Counterpoint Ensemble in Kaohsiung, drawn to its mission of making classical music accessible to underserved audiences, particularly children. Appointed concertmaster in 2008, she played a key role in shaping the ensemble’s artistic vision, expanding its outreach programs, and securing support from the National Culture and Arts Foundation.
She has also been a core member of Taiwan Connection, a chamber orchestra founded in 2007 by Nai-Yuan Hu, gold medalist of the 1984 Queen Elisabeth Competition. In 2024, the ensemble marked its 20th anniversary with a series of celebratory concerts and an upcoming album release. That same year, Dr. Lin made her debut as a featured soloist with the Taipei Chinese Orchestra, further demonstrating her versatility as a performer.
