Ilja Monti received his first violin lessons at the age of five from Birgit Kowalski. When he was ten, he switched to the Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach Gymnasium in Berlin Mitte and has since attended Johannes Kittel's violin class. Among other things, he received first prize at the national youth music competition and first prize at the Märkische Musiktage and a special prize at the Dussmann competition. He attended master classes with Boris Garlitsky, Zoya Nevgodovska and Olga Zolotareva. Ilja has been playing chamber music since 2017 and has attended several chamber music courses in Rheinsberg. Since 2018 he has been a member of the "International Music Academy for the Promotion of the Musically Gifted".

Five questions for the artists

What does the instrument have that you play that the others don't? What do you especially love about him? What annoys you about him? I love the instrument I play because it has a warm, rich sound, especially on the lower strings. Unfortunately it is a bit moody when the weather changes. The music of which composer do you never want to miss in your life? I couldn't imagine music without Beethoven and Ravel. What are you reluctant to do? I didn't have to play anything against my will yet. Do you do sports? Which? I really enjoy playing basketball in my spare time. What makes you angry? I get angry when I have to watch how many cultural offers are canceled, even though the events could definitely take place with appropriate measures.

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Ilja Monti

15 years, violin