Alexander Ivashkin

Alexander Ivashkin began his music education at the Gnessins Special School of Music for gifted students at the age of 5, playing both piano and cello. It was the legendary Rostropovich who suggested he choose a career of solo cellist. As such he has established an international reputation both as an interpreter of the standard repertoire and as a proponent of contemporary music. His highly acclaimed recitals, radio and TV recordings and appearances with orchestras have included performances in more than 40 countries. He has worked with many of the world's greatest conductors and regularly performs as soloist with leading orchestras; he also frequently appears as a guest artist in important music festivals around the world.

Since 1995 Ivashkin has been Artistic Director of the Adam International Cello Competition and Festival in Christchurch New Zealand, as well as of annual festivals in London. He has taught at schools of music in Russia, the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and is currently Professor of Music and Head of Performance Sutdies at Goldsmiths College, University of London. He is also well known as a conductor and has published several books on Schnittke, Penderecki, Rostropovich and others, as well as more than 200 articles.

Itzhak Rashkovsky

Itzhak Rashkovsky is internationally renowned as violinist and pedagogue. As Professor of Violin at the Royal College of Music, London, he has come to be one of the most sought after teachers in England. His students, who come from all over the world to study with him, have been winners of many national and international competitions. He has given masterclasses in Europe, Israel, Canada and the USA and been juror of numerous international competitions, notably Vice Chairman of the Jury of the 12th Henryk Wieniawski (Poland), Sion Valais (Switzerland), Yampolsky (Russia) and Premio Rodolfo Lipizer (Italy) International Violin Competitions.

Rashkovsky is one of the founders and the Music Director of Keshet Eilon Violin Mastercouse (Israel), an international summer programme for exceptionally talented young violinists located in Kibbutz Eilon, as well as Associate Director of Pro Corda, the National School for Young Chamger Music Players (England). In 1998, in recognition of his outstanding servicws to music, he was awarded by the Prince of Wales a Fellowship of the Royal College of Music, London.