Mykyta Vikhorev

My name is Mykyta Vikhorev, and I am a 26-year-old violinist and violist currently based in Glasgow, Scotland. My journey in music began in the vibrant cultural landscape of Odessa, Ukraine, where I was born and where I received my initial classical training at a specialist Music Academy. From those early years, the violin became my primary voice, a tool through which I could explore the vast emotional range of the classical tradition. In 2013, I moved to Nikolaev to further my education at the Music College under the expert guidance of Professor Natalia Ilchuk. It was during this period that I truly began to master the technical demands of the instrument, building a repertoire that includes the monumental concertos of Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, and Bruch. These formative years in Ukraine provided me with a rigorous technical foundation and a deep respect for the discipline required to perform at the highest level of artistry. However, my musical identity has always been defined by a refusal to be confined to a single genre. In 2016, I began expanding my horizons by joining several professional cover bands. This shift allowed me to take the violin out of the concert hall and into the energy of weddings, large-scale festivals, and intimate pub concerts. Performing famous pop hits taught me the art of improvisation and the importance of audience engagement, skills that are often overlooked in purely classical training. Since 2020, my collaborative work with Vladislav Altukhov in Kharkiv further pushed these boundaries, allowing me to experiment with different textures and ensemble dynamics. This dual life as both a classical soloist and a contemporary performer has made me a highly adaptable musician, capable of switching from a soulful Bach Sarabande to a high-energy modern arrangement in a single evening. In 2022, a new chapter began when I moved to the United Kingdom to study at the London Performing Academy of Music. Under Professors Eleanor Wilkinson and Omar Puente, I was able to refine my dual-instrumental capabilities, embracing both the brilliance of the violin and the deep, resonant textures of the viola. Following this, in 2023, I successfully transitioned to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to begin my Undergraduate studies. Being part of the RCS community for several years has allowed me to integrate all aspects of my background—my Ukrainian heritage, my rigorous training, and my commitment to charity work. Since moving to the UK, I have taken an active role in numerous charity concerts across both London and Glasgow, performing to support humanitarian causes and to bring communities together during times of global uncertainty. These performances remind me that music is a vital force for connection and healing. Currently, I am continuing my artistic development at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, studying under the esteemed Maya Iwabuchi and Greg Lawson. Whether I am performing in a symphony orchestra, a chamber ensemble, or providing bespoke music for a private event, I bring a wealth of international experience and a tireless dedication to my craft. I believe that every performance is a unique dialogue between the performer and the listener, and I strive to make every note I play a meaningful part of that conversation as I continue to build my professional career here in the United Kingdom.