Hailed as an “exceptional musician of rare talent who promises to become one of the leading pianists of her generation” by pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Georgian-born Sophiko Simsive began her piano studies at the age of three. She has won numerous awards and accolades including first prize at the Yamaha Piano Competition in Amsterdam and first prize at Music Academy of the West. She has also won concerto competitions at both the Yale School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, and she was Artist in Residence at the Grachtenfestival in Amsterdam.
Sophiko has toured extensively throughout North America, Asia, and Europe, and she made her Carnegie Hall debut with cellist Kian Soltani. Sophiko has participated in the Verbier International Music Festival, the Yellow Barn Festival, and the International Holland Music Sessions among others, and has collaborated with artists including Gil Kalish, Anthony Marwood, Alexandra Conunova, Harriet Krijgh, and the Berlage Saxophone Quartet.
Sophiko has a passion for sharing music with larger audiences; she has given recitals at retirement homes and hospitals and has taught at community music schools. Recently she became a member of Vision Collective, a New York-based ensemble that builds meaningful relationships with refugees and new Americans by sharing and exchanging music between diverse communities.
Sophiko currently serves as a senior teaching assistant at Yale College, coaching the chamber music performance seminar along with violinist Wendy Sharp. She is also pursuing her doctoral degree at the Manhattan School of Music, where she studies with Dr. Solomon Mikowsky. Sophiko is represented by Interartists Amsterdam Management.
