Silvia Ilves

b. August 31, 1992 Pärnu
Member of the Association of Estonian Professional Musicians

Cellist Silvia Ilves is active as a solo and chamber musician and as an orchestra player. Ilves has participated in various masterclasses and has been awarded in multiple national and international competitions.

Silvia Ilves received her first music lessons at the age of two from her mother, who taught her piano and singing. Ilves has grown up with five also classically trained sisters, with whom she has performed from an early age. Silvia Ilves started her cello studies at the Tallinn Music High School with Mart Laas at the age of six, continuing at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theater (EAMT) in 2010, under the guidance of Peeter Paemurru, Henry-David Varema, and Marko Ylönen. Currently, Silvia Ilves is studying at the EAMT with Prof. Henry-David Varema.

Silvia Ilves has been the winner of several competitions: International Competition for Young Musicians in Tallinn (1st prize in 2002 and 2003, 2nd Prize in 2004); National Competition for Young String Players in Tallinn, organised by the Estonian String Teachers Association (1st Prize in 2003, 2007, 2010, and 2nd Prize in 2015); August Dombrovski International Competition for String Instruments in Riga (3rd Prize, 2005); European Music Families Competition in France (1st Prize, 2005); International Cello Competition in Liezen (2nd Prize, 2006); Cello Competition of the Suur-Jaani Music Festival (1st prize in 2009, 2nd Prize and special prizes in 2019). In 2016, Silvia Ilves participated in the TV competition „Classical Stars“ for young classical artists, organised by the Estonian Public Broadcasting, where she won the 2nd Prize and Special Award.

Silvia Ilves has participated in the work of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (2015/16), Estonian Sinfonietta (since 2013), and Nordic Symphony Orchestra (since 2015). She has also been a member in many ensembles, including Absolute Ensemble led by Kristjan Järvi, and The Ilves Sisters. In 2016, Silvia Ilves together with pianist Liidia Ilves released an album „Ilves Sisters’ Classical Favorites“ featuring classical music pieces for cello and piano. Silvia Ilves also gives concerts on electric cello. She works actively with both pop and classical musicians, including pianist Age Juurikas, composer Rein Rannap, guitarist Paul Neitsov, conductor Kristjan Järvi, and singer Uku Suviste among others. Since 2018, Silvia Ilves is a member of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.

Silvia Ilves homepage


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