ABOUT

Magdaline Kovalchuk

Magdaline Kovalchuk is an American-born Russian/Belarusian cellist and pianist from Whittier, California. Described by Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist Suli Xue as demonstrating “exceptional talent, a great enthusiasm in music, and a high level of determination,” she has been a passionate performer from a young age. She created and led her own chamber ensembles, performing throughout Southern California, the East Coast, and Spain, and has been awarded multiple first place gold medals in ensemble competitions in California, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Her recent travels took her to Spain, where she studied with cellist Lluís Claret in an international masterclass. Immersing herself in Spanish culture and meeting other inspiring cellists enriched her both as a musician and as a person, deepening her perspective on what it means to live and breathe music. Other mentors who have shaped her artistic journey include Robert deMaine, Amit Peled, David Garrett, Paul Watkins, Suli Xue, Matt Haimovitz, Ko Iwasaki, Astrid Schween, and many more. Magdaline has appeared as a soloist with the Synesthesia Sinfonietta and performed as an orchestral musician at venues such as Royce Hall, Warner Bros. Studios, Fred Kavli Theatre, Broadway West, Glass Slipper Palace, LA Theatre, and Candlelight Concerts. Soloing with the Synesthesia Sinfonietta was a defining moment in her career, as she discovered the joy of collaborating with musicians to bring new works to life—a memory she carries as a reminder of why she performs. Demonstrating her versatility, Magdaline also formed her own wind ensemble to perform the Gulda Cello Concerto under the baton of Isaiah Castro. This project marked her expansion into more contemporary repertoire and allowed her to explore the concerto’s bold blend of classical, jazz, and popular styles. For her, the experience reinforced the value of pushing artistic boundaries and creating fresh ways for audiences to engage with the cello. As a Los Angeles–based musician, she has collaborated with emerging artists such as Mike Sabath and Haley Joelle, and appeared in music videos including Being Human (2023), Dumbstruck (2023), and Memory Lane (2024). These projects opened her eyes to the richness of art beyond the classical world and strengthened her desire to bridge genres and connect with wider audiences. Magdaline is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Cello Performance at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University under the mentorship of Amit Peled. Her earlier years were shaped by scholarships for private cello study with Wendy Velasco and a chamber music scholarship to the SoCal Chamber Music Institute. During her time at Azusa Pacific University, she served as principal cellist of the Symphony Orchestra, where she grew as a leader and collaborator. She was also a member of the APU chapel team, a section cellist with the California Young Artist Symphony, and studied with Dr. Marek Szpakiewicz (cello) and Professor Mark Gasbarro (piano). In addition, she coached strings at La Serna High School and continues to share her love of music through her private cello and piano studio. For Magdaline, music is not only performance—it is collaboration, storytelling, and a way of building human connection.