NEW YORK – Violinist Rafailia Kapsokavadi, a graduate of the Mannes School of Music and The Juilliard School, spoke with The National Herald about her life and career, performing with the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, and her new role as an Associate Artist Agent at Arts Management Group, Inc. (AMG).
From a musical family, Kapsokavadi “was born in Thessaloniki and my roots are also from Corfu,” she told TNH. “I grew up in a house full of classical music and I am from a musical family. I studied classical piano, flute, sang in choirs, played in orchestras due to my family’s origins from Corfu.”
“My grandfather was a very famous conductor in the Corfu Philharmonic, pianist and composer,” she noted. “I started learning to play the violin at the age of 6, under the tutelage of the concertmaster of Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra and a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, Omiros Yiavroumis. I participated in numerous masterclasses in Europe and Russia, and have attended summer workshops earning a few prizes. I received my Greek National Diploma-Certificate in violin performance in Thessaloniki at the age of 16 and I hold diplomas in music theory and music history from music schools in Thessaloniki.”
“When I turned 18, I moved to the United States to study music and I graduated in 2020 with a degree in Violin Performance from The Hayes School of Music in North Carolina on a scholarship and onwards I obtained my Master’s Degree from Mannes School of Music and the Juilliard School where I studied with Daniel Phillips,” Kapsokavadi said. “Now, I am based in New York, teaching at my private violin studio and online, performing regularly at venues such as Carnegie Hall, New York University, New York City Center, Blue Note, DROM, Chelsea Stage, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Columbia University, David Geffen Hall, Symphony Space and City Center of New York.”
She added: “Since May 2024, I have accepted a full time position to work as an Associate Artist Agent in one of the elite arts management groups in NYC, AMG and we have a full roster of very accomplished and the most on demand classical musicians from both Europe and the U.S.”
“My latest performances include my first two solo Candlelight performances by Fever Music Group at Sheen Center for Thought and Culture,” Kapsokavadi noted. “The show was ‘We Call It Ballet in New York: Sleeping Beauty Dance and Light Show!’ It was a unique experience to play with talented dancers adding my own flavor to the show.”
“My past performances also include last season’s participation in the City Dance NY, April 12-13 Season 3 Kickoff Gala, Stories in Motion, performing two concerts with my friend and incredible pianist, Seiji Nakanishi in the Theater at St. Jeans,” she said. “Last winter, I played with a full orchestra at Carnegie Hall for the sold-out MidAmerica 40th anniversary Gala, performing Beethoven 9th Symphony as a member of the first violin section of the New England Symphonic Ensemble. It was really one of the best experiences of my life.”
“My next performances/projects include an upcoming string quartet recording project, which is an album of a young opera singer and he is doing Latin/pop songs with an opera approach, due out in the spring of 2025,” Kapsokavadi noted.
When asked what is next, she told TNH: “My upcoming performances include my New England Symphonic Ensemble concerts in Carnegie Hall opening the new season on Saturday, March 15, 2025, as part of the Mid America productions. I have been very grateful to work under the baton of late Greek-American conductor Peter Tiboris. After his tragic passing, all the musicians in the orchestra were devastated.”
“For over four decades, Maestro Tiboris dedicated his life to transforming MidAmerica Productions into a world-renowned institution, bringing music to life on global stages, including Carnegie Hall,” Kapsokavadi said. “His remarkable vision and passion shaped the organization and touched the lives of countless musicians and audiences alike. Cailin Marcel Manson will be the new guest conductor alongside other acclaimed conductors to lead the New England Ensemble.”
“Being an Associate Artist Agent at AMG is a very detailed and demanding job which requires knowing the musicians you are working with really well and trying to book them for tours and performances that the conductors think fit best,” she noted. “Representing the artists is one of the skills sets I didn’t know I had. This business requires professionalism and organizational skills, ability to collaborate closely with musicians, artists, and presenters to realize their creative visions.”
“Among the successful AMG tours this year were the acclaimed Belcea Quartet alongside the Quatuor Ébène with a huge North American tour in November, pianist Mitsuko Uchida- one of the most revered artists of our time, the Deutsche Grammophon artist Raphael Feuillatre from France, and the Casals Cuarteto from Spain,” she said.
“In the spring of 2025, we have the award-winning Leonkoro String Quartet coming from Europe for a two-week long tour in 11 North American cities with a fascinating concert program,” Kapsokavadi concluded.
More information about AMG is available online: https://www.artsmg.com/.
