Meet Gulia Gurevich of Shkolnikova Academy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gulia Gurevich.

Hi Gulia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my musical journey at a very young age, drawn to the violin almost instinctively. By my early teens, music had already become my language: I made my solo debut with a symphony orchestra at fourteen and even stepped onto the podium as a conductor the following year. Those early experiences shaped my sense of possibility and purpose. Soon after, I moved to the United States to study at the Interlochen Arts Academy, where I was immersed in an environment that demanded both discipline and imagination. From there, I continued my studies at the Oberlin Conservatory, followed by formative years at Indiana University studying with my mentor, Nelli Shkolnikova. I later completed my Master’s and Doctorate at the University of California, Santa Barbara, years that refined not only my technique, but my artistic voice and vision.

Over time, my career has grown into a balance of performance, education, and leadership. As a chamber musician, I have performed across the US and internationally with the Prima Trio.
Yet teaching and building musical communities have become just as central to my work. I have taught and given masterclasses at conservatories, served as an artistic director and competition juror, and became a co-founding faculty member of the Shkolnikova Academy in France to mentor the next generation of artists. Today, I continue to perform, teach, and create platforms where music can connect people deeply, believing that artistry is not only about excellence on stage, but also about cultivating a lifelong relationship with music in others.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My path in music has not been predictable or smooth. While early successes opened doors, they also came with intense pressure and high expectations at an age when I was still learning who I was. Moving to the United States as a teenager meant leaving behind family, familiarity, and a sense of security. I faced cultural displacement, financial uncertainty, and the quiet loneliness that often comes with starting over in a new country. There were moments when self-doubt crept in, times when the gap between potential and reality felt overwhelming, and when I questioned whether I truly belonged in such competitive musical environments.

The academic and professional journey that followed demanded constant reinvention. Each new school, teacher, and city required me to rebuild confidence and redefine my artistic voice. I experienced setbacks, missed opportunities, and periods where progress felt painfully slow despite relentless effort. Balancing performance, advanced degrees, and the realities of sustaining a life in music was exhausting, and there were times when stepping away seemed easier than pushing forward. What carried me through was resilience shaped by discipline, mentorship, and an unwavering belief in the deeper purpose of music. Those struggles ultimately clarified my mission,not only to perform at a high level, but to build meaningful spaces where musicians feel supported, seen, and empowered. The road was uneven, but it is precisely those challenges that shaped me into who I am today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Shkolnikova Academy ?
At its heart, the Shkolnikova Academy was born from a deep love for music, mentorship, and legacy. It’s named in homage to Nelli Shkolnikova, one of the legendary Soviet violinists and influential violin pedagogues of the 20th century, whose passion for artistry and teaching shaped generations of musicians. Nelli’s former students, including myself and colleagues from around the world, came together with a shared dream: to continue her tradition of rigorous instruction and artistic integrity in a setting that nurtures creativity, curiosity, and community for young string players.

What sets the Academy apart is the intentional blend of excellence, diversity, and immersive experience. Each summer, we bring together gifted violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists from across the globe to study in the inspiring surroundings of the Château de La Flocellière in France. Students not only receive private lessons with every faculty member, giving them a rare breadth of artistic perspectives, but also participate in chamber music coaching, large ensemble work, masterclasses, and workshops ranging from audition preparation to improvisation.

One of the aspects we’re most proud of is the Academy’s commitment to accessibility and community, more than half of our students receive financial aid or scholarships, ensuring that talent and passion, not financial circumstance, determine participation. We also celebrate cross-cultural exchange, welcoming young musicians from diverse backgrounds and fostering an environment where collaboration and artistic dialogue thrive.

If there’s one thing I want readers to know, it’s this: the Shkolnikova Academy is more than a summer program. It is a vibrant musical community built on generosity, inspiration, and the shared belief that mentorship transforms lives. We honor Nelli Shkolnikova’s legacy not just through technical rigor, but through a culture of care, artistic curiosity, and connection that stays with our students long after they leave the château.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was endlessly curious and deeply responsible, often in ways that felt older than my years. I wanted to understand everything, from how life worked and how people communicated to how music worked and how emotion could be translated into sound. From an early age, I carried big dreams, not as fantasies, but as quiet promises to myself. I practiced with intensity, asked questions constantly, and took ownership of my path long before I fully understood where it might lead. Music became both my refuge and my compass, a place where ambition and sensitivity could coexist. Even as a child, I felt a strong pull toward something larger than myself, a sense that music could open doors, build bridges, and create meaning far beyond the stage.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: guliagurevich

Image Credits
James Di Pietro