KSENIA ZHULEVA is a violist of the Russian National Orchestra, as well as the Moscow-based Rusquartet. In addition to her extensive orchestral and chamber ensemble experience, she frequently performs as a soloist in Europe and North America.
In addition to graduating with high honors from the Moscow State Conservatory, she received an Artist Diploma in Viola Performance from the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas-Austin, where she studied for two years under Professor Roger Myers. Her advanced studies have included a period at Yale University under Professor Ettore Causa.
Born in Moscow, Ms. Zhuleva began her music education at the age of seven. She graduated with honors from the Academic Music College associated with the Moscow Conservatory. While at the College she received the prestigious Bystritskaya International Scholarship awarded to "the most promising and outstanding young musicians" and the Premiere Ensemble of Soloists Scholarship.
In 2003, Ms. Zhuleva entered the Moscow State Conservatory as a student of Professor Alexander Bobrovsky. In the same year, she joined the Russian National Orchestra (RNO) under Maestro Mikhail Pletnev. As a member of the RNO, she has participated in numerous recordings on prestigious recording labels, such as Deutsche Grammophon and Pentatone.
Also in 2003, while still a student, Ms. Zhuleva was appointed violist of Rusquartet, a professional string quartet led by Dmitry Shebalin of the Borodin String Quartet. With Rusquartet she toured throughout Russia, Europe and Canada. During that period, Rusquartet was awarded a number of honorary diplomas and certificates of excellence.
Ms. Zhuleva is the winner of the 2006 Rheinsberg, Germany International Quartet Competition held in honor of Shostakovich's 100th anniversary and in 2008 the prestigious Shostakovich International Quartet Competition in Moscow. From 2010 to 2012 she was Artist Fellow in Residence of the Classical Artists Development Foundation of the Butler School of Music at UT-Austin.
"In a modern classical world, rife with reports of under-funded and dying ensembles, curtailed schedules and shrinking audiences, the foundation and continued growth of [the Russian National Orchestra] seems not only miraculous; it just may be the most important cultural story of our time."
