In September 2009 Sofya Gulyak was awarded the 1st prize and the Princess Mary Gold Medal at the Sixteenth Leeds International Piano Competition – the first woman who has achieved this distinction in over the whole history of this competition. Sofya Gulyak’ resume includes prizes at many prestigious piano competitions: she is a 1st prize winner of William Kapell International piano competition in USA, Maj Lind Helsinki International piano competition, Tivoli piano competition in Copenhagen, Gyeongnam International piano competition in South Corea, San Marino piano competition, 2nd prize winner( first not awarded) of Busoni competition in Italy and 3rd prize winner of Marguerite Long piano competition in Paris.

 

Sofya Gulyak is a native of Kazan(Russia) where she studied in a Special Music College for gifted children, and then in Kazan State Conservaoire under professor Elfiya Burnasheva. Ms.Gulyak graduated also from “Ecole Normale de music de Paris Alfred Cortot” with the highest distinction. After she continued her studying in Piano Academy “Incontri col Maestri”(Imola,Italy) with Boris Petrushansky and in Royal College of Music with Vanessa Latarche.  

 

Recitals and concert apperances have been numerous, with Ms.Gulyak having performed in various cities in Russia, Poland, France, Italy, Finland, Norway, USA, Japan, Portugal, Switzeland, Morocco, Greece, South Korea.  

 

Sofya Gulyak performed in Sala Verdi in Milan, Salle Cortot, Salle Gaveau and Salle Pleyel in Paris, Big concert Hall of Moscow Conservatoire, Sala Bossi in Bologna, Teatro Alighieri in Ravenna, Finlandia Concert Hall in Helsinki, Kennedy Center in Washington, Salle Moliere in Lyon, Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, King Theatre in Rabat, Kursaal in Bern, Tivoli concert Hall in Copenhagen. Sofya Gulyak appeared as a soloist with Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Oulu Philharmonic, Helsinki Philharmonic, NOI(National Institue Festival Orchestra), Morocco Orchestra, Copenhagen Symphony, Orchestre National de France, Haydn Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Wroclaw Philharmonic, Kazan Symphony, Samara Symphony, Saratov Symphony, Kazan Chamber Orchestra. She participated in many festivals, such as Festival du Sceaux, Festival d’Annecy, International Keaboard Festival in New York, Liszt Festival in Villa d’Este, Nordlys festival in Norway, Ravello Festival, Asolo festival , Sorrento Music Festival, Festival de Orvieto, Festival “Musical Seasons” in San Marino. Ms. Gulyak has beed honored with the role of scholar for the Rostropovich Foundation and Russian President Foundation.  

 

Ms. Gulyak also attended as a jury member at the international piano competitions in Italy and Greece. Her playing was broadcasted on the radio in Russia, Poland, France, Italy, USA, Finland, Denmark,United Kingdom.