Category 3, 2nd Prize (Violin/Viola) - Stella Braliou — Radda

2023 Radda Rise International String Competition

 

STella Braliou

Second Prize - Violin/Viola Division

Category 3

 

Violinist Stella Braliou embarked on her musical journey at a young age, beginning violin lessons at four and piano studies at five in her hometown of Athens, Greece. Her early skills and talent were evident when, at just nine years old, she secured the 1st prize at the Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, marking her debut performance at Salzburg's esteemed Mozarteum Music Academy. That same year, she achieved the 3rd prize at both the Golden Classical Music Awards in New York and the Rising Stars Grand Prix in Berlin.

By 14, Stella was selected to study with Miguel Negri at the Piccoli Virtuosi International Music School in Switzerland. Only three years later, at 17, she attained her soloist violin diploma with distinction  as well as 1st prize from the Athens Conservatory. This achievement was accompanied by a scholarship and guidance from the renowned Franc Shestani.

2023 was a pivotal year for Stella. She was awarded both the outstanding brilliant award and the best romantic award at the 7th Brilliant Talent Discovery Awards, and she was invited to perform Kreisler’s Sicilienne & Rigaudon  in the Gala Concert at Singapore's Esplanade Theatre. Additionally, she received the gold prize at the Virtuoso International Music Awards and was a prize winner at the American Virtuoso International Music Competition (AVIM), among several other online competitions. In November, she will perform at the AVIM Winners’ Recital at the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Over the years, Stella has enriched her craft by participating in numerous youth orchestras since the age of nine, both in Greece and internationally, and has graced many stages with her recitals. For four years, she was a member of the Child and Youth Symphonic Orchestra "Nina Patrikidou," performing in over 35 concerts at prestigious Greek venues like Megaron and the Athens Concert Hall. Subsequently, Stella played as a first violinist with the Underground Youth Orchestra and the Piccoli Virtuosi in Switzerland. In 2023, she was the concertmaster at the Manhattan School of Music Summer Orchestra and attended Philadelphia International Music Festival Chamber Music that year. In addition to her orchestral endeavors, she has performed in masterclasses led by esteemed violinists such as Andrei Baranov, Mark Rovetti, Christine Lim, Meichen-Liao Barnes, Bob DePasquale, Kimberly Fisher, and Kirill Trussov.

In June 2023, Stella attended the Solo Performance Preparation Program at the Philadelphia International Music Camp and Festival. While there, she won first prize in her age division at the Philadelphia Festival Concerto Competition as well as the Alternate Grand Prize overall with her captivating performance of Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto in D Minor. Additionally, she joined the Manhattan School of Music Summer Program, under the Rubin-Ladd Foundation scholarship, and served as a concertmaster for the MSM Summer Orchestra and Chamber Music. This September, Stella looks forward to participating in the Talented Summer Music Courses in Breccia, Italy, under the guidance of Kirill Trussov.

 

violin concerto in d minor, Mov. I by Aram Khachaturian


Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op. 16 by Henryk Wieniawski