Violinist Igor Kalnin, praised by The News-Gazette for the “full rich tone, …exquisite taste,” and “admirable skill,” has performed internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and an orchestra leader. A native of Russia, he started his professional musical career as a faculty member at Glinka State Conservatory in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and later joined Chamber Orchestra Kremlin in Moscow. After relocating to the United States in 2004, he served as Violin Instructor at Yale University and a leader for several orchestras on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Presently, he is Visiting Assistant Professor of Violin at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and Concertmaster of Sinfonia da Camera in Urbana, Illinois. During summer seasons, he teaches at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan, where he also serves as Concertmaster of Blue Lake Festival and Opera Orchestras. Igor enjoys working with students of all ages, and teachers a select number of advanced violinists at the Community Center for the Arts.

He is a prizewinner of a number of international and national competitions, and performed as a soloist with orchestras in America, Asia, and Europe. As a recitalist and chamber musician, he appeared in prestigious venues around the world, including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Rachmaninov Hall at Moscow Conservatory in Russia. His live solo and chamber music performances has been broadcasted on radio and TV stations in Russia and the United States. Together with pianist Rochelle Sennet, he founded Duo MemDi, a forefront chamber group, which focuses on performing repertoire by memory and increasing diversity in the world of classical music by commissioning and performing music of underrepresented composers.

Throughout his career Igor has been passionate about teaching students of all ages. His college and pre-college students has won regional, state, and international competitions, and were accepted to prestigious music programs. As a clinician, he has given masterclass at universities and conservatories throughout the United States and internationally.

An experienced orchestral musician, he performs regularly as Concertmaster of Sinfonia da Camera in Urbana, Illinois and Blue Lake Festival and Opera Orchestras in Michigan during the summer season. Previously, he has served as Concertmaster of Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra and The Prairie Ensemble, as well as Principal Second Violinist of Lansing Symphony and Waterbury Symphony Orchestras. In addition, he performed as Guest Concertmaster for a number of professional orchestras in Russia and the United States.

Igor holds an undergraduate diploma with distinction from Balakirev Music College, as well as graduate and post-graduate diplomas with distinction from Glinka State Conservatory in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. In the United States, he has earned an Artist Diploma from Yale University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University.