Julia Sakharova

Julia Sakharova (Russian: Юлия Сахарова) is a professional violinist. A native of Zheleznovodsk, Russia, she debuted at the age of eight with the Moldavian Symphony Orchestra. Her mother is also a musician. By the age of 11, she was already internationally known as a child prodigy due to her skills on the violin; At the age of 15, she won the top prize in the International Competition for Music of Eastern and Central Europe; Vladimir Spivakov, the head of the jury, presented her with his bow in addition to the prize. She attended Oberlin College, graduating in 2003 with a major in violin performance; she studied under Milan Vitek while there. That same year, she won sixth prize in the Concours International de Montréal des Jeunesses Musicales In 2005, she visited Caracas, Venezuela to perform with the National Philharmonic Orchestra there. She has been Assistant Concertmaster of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra since 2008. SInce 2012 Sakharova is the newest member of the Arianna String Quartet which is on Residence at the University of Missouri St. Louis. She is part of the Music Faculty as Assistant Professor of Violin.

Julia is married to orchestra teacher Clay Mckinney. They have one son.

Graduated from Moscow's Central Special Music School. Graduated from Oberlin College in 2003, studying with Taras Gabora, Almita Vamos and Milan Vitek. Received a master's degree from the Juilliard School in 2006, studying with Donald Weilerstein.