Valentin Kovalev is a passionate and dedicated classical saxophonist committed to elevating the saxophone’s voice in the world of classical music. Originally from Siberia, Valentin has established himself as a dynamic international performer, appearing across the U.S., Russia, France, Andorra, and Asia. He made history as the winner of the inaugural Naumburg Foundation Saxophone Competition in 2022. The following season, he gave a stellar, sold-out debut recital at Carnegie Hall, which featured the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by GRAMMY Award-winning composer Steven Mackey. Other performance highlights include his recital debuts at Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Newport Classical and in in concerto with the Illinois Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony, and Greenwich Symphony, to name a few. With an impressive and growing social media presence, Valentin continues to captivate and engage new audiences, expanding the reach of classical saxophone with every performance.