Viola Studio of Professor Yuri Gandelsman.

Welcome letter

Dear Students,

My name is Yuri Gandelsman and I would like to invite you to join my Online Viola Studio — intensive online lessons focused on professional development, orchestral audition preparation, and building a successful career in leading orchestras. I bring to these courses more than 40 years of international experience as a performer, concertmaster, soloist, and professor.

After graduating from Moscow Gnessin Institute, where I studied with Henrikh Talalyan and Valentin Berlinsky (Borodin Quartet) I began my career at the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, where I played from the age of 23 and spent eight years developing as an orchestral musician. I then became a principal viola and soloist of the renowned ensemble Virtuosi of Moscow, with whom I recorded several albums. In 1990, I was invited by Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, where I won the audition for the position of Principal Viola. I served as a principal and a soloist of the IPO for ten years.

As a soloist, I performed major repertoire including Berlioz’s Harold in Italy with Maestro Mehta — several times in Israel and later on a European tour in Spain, Portugal, and Luxembourg.

From my first day in Israel, I served as a professor at Tel Aviv University, teaching viola and orchestral audition preparation. Over the years, my students have won positions in every major orchestra in the country, many of them holding leading roles.

My teaching combines deep musical understanding, technical mastery, orchestral experience, and personalized guidance for each student’s artistic growth. If you are interested in joining my courses or would like more information, please contact me. I look forward to helping you reach your highest musical potential.

Sincerely, Yuri Gandelsman

News

First online masterclass is coming. If you would like to perform an audition excerpt or a solo as a participant, leave a message on a Facebook page, we might have a spot yet available!

Services

Online Lessons

Personalized online lessons with Professor Yuri Gandelsman tailored to your skill level and goals. Classes are conducted via video call using Zoom app. Find HERE about technical requirements and setup instructions.

Masterclasses

Intensive masterclass sessions with expert instruction focused on audition preparation or concert viola repertoire with multiple participants and viewers. Recordings available to participants for later review. Check our Facebook page for information about upcoming events.