As a result she will be Artist in Residence of the 2017 edition of the Grachtenfestival. Sophiko studied with Mila Baslawskaja at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where she graduated from the bachelor’s degree programme in 2012.

The other nominees, soprano Laetitia Gerards, and the Amatis Piano Trio, formed by Lea Hausmann, violin; Samuel Shepherd, cello, and Mengjie Han, piano, also studied at the CvA.

This year’s Artist in Residence with the Grachtenfestival, violinist Mathieu van Bellen, studied at the Sweelinck Academy, the CvA’s study programme for exceptionally gifted children.