Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Lviv, Ukraine, one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe and declared an UNESCO World Heritage site. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/865
What is your position in the orchestra?
I am the Principal Oboe. I also will need to play English Horn sometimes ( although I don't really enjoy it 😎 )
When did you join the KCOHO?
I joined the orchestra in August 1998, before that I played with New World Symphony in Miami, Florida.
What age did you start playing a musical instrument?
I started playing the oboe at age 10 because that’s the only instrument that was not taken by the other students in the School’s music band. I immediately fell in love with it despite all of the difficulties with breathing, hard fingering, reeds ...
What schools did you attend?
I started at the Community college in Lviv, Ukraine. I then moved on to Conservatories in Minsk, Belarus and finally The Manhattan School of Music in New York.
Do you have any memorable moments in your career at the Kennedy Center?
Performing The “Ring Cycle” with the Maestro Auguin will always be a thrill. “Tristan and Isolde” with Maestro Heinz Fricke was another fond memory. I also really enjoy playing any Russian Ballets by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev.
What are some of your hobbies?
When I am not playing the oboe I play tennis, downhill skiing, fishing ...
