Biography
Paula Izabella Gorbanova’s captivating playing and endless artistic curiosity have established her as an original violinist of the young generation. Mature well above her age, she communicates her artistic vision with audiences through the violin.
She is currently engaged in solo and chamber performances, as well as invited for leading positions with string ensembles and orchestras across the globe. Her most recent performances include appearance at the Vielklang Festival in Tuebingen (Germany), Artematica Festival, Uppermill Music Festival and recitals in Southwark Cathedral, Barbican, St James’s Piccadilly amongst many others. Paula has performed on international stages since 2014, including venues such as the Carnegie Hall, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Berlin Konzerthaus, Grafenegg Castle, Milton Court Concert Hall, Jerwood Hall - LSO St Luke’s, Barbican Hall, Royal Festival Hall, including many other venues across Germany, Lithuania, Sweden, Greece, and France. As a soloist, she has performed with the Vielklang Festival Orchestra, Master Orchestra, City of London Soloists and Hornton Chamber Orchestra.
Born in October 1997, Paula began her violin studies at the age of six under Nelly Sarkisian at Emils Darzins Secondary Music School in Riga. Afterwards she pursued her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under the tutelage of Prof. Jacqueline Ross where she has gained a First Class Bachelor of Music and Master of Performance degrees, both with distinction. She has participated in numerous masterclasses with eminent artists such as Tasmin Little, Friedemann Eichhorn, Nicola Benedetti, Tobias Granmo, Wolfgang Redik and with members of the Chilingirian, Dante, Endellion, and Heath Quartets.
Throughout the years she has worked closely with eminent musicians, including conductors Baldur Brönnimann, Sir Simon Rattle (LSO & Guildhall Side-by-Side), Vassily Sinaisky, Marin Alsop and Normunds Vaicis.
Paula is a recipient of multiple prizes and awards such as the Ivan Sutton Chamber Music Prize, Queen Sophie Charlotte International Violin Competition ULSA Sounderpreis winner in Germany, Wolfson Foundation Instrument Award that allowed her to purchase a violin bow by Jeans Paulus and has been Talent Unlimited artist since 2017. Since 2022 Paula has been supporting Talent Unlimited charitable steps also as a Supporting Artist.
As one of the founders of the Gorbanoff String Quartet (2016-2018) and the Chiarina Piano Quartet they have performed extensively across UK and Europe. More recently, her collaboration with musicians from the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra has resulted in performances in New York and Athens.
Paula performs on a fine 19th century Italian violin, kindly on loan by Florian Leonhard. She is grateful to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Help Musicians UK, The Stephen Bell Charitable Trust, Henry Wood Trust, Albert Cooper Music Charitable Trust, Wolfson Foundation and Talent Unlimited for their generous support.
As an active educator Paula has joined the faculty of the Centre for Young Musicians and has been appointed as a Professor at the Blackheath Conservatoire since 2022. Outreach and education players important role for her. She regularly participates in outreach projects to share her ideas and insights with up-and-coming musicians. In 2022 she held a residency at the Guildhall Young Artists Norwich and the City of Norwich School giving performances, talks and lessons together with the Chiarina Piano Quartet. Outside of her own teaching classes she also shares her knowledge with youth orchestras across England.
