Lydia Chernicoff, Violinist
Violinist Lydia Chernicoff is the Founder and Artistic Director of New Muse Concerts, a concert series defined by its daring programming and lively, casual atmosphere. New Muse Concerts presents Classical and contemporary chamber repertoire in the context of diverse musical traditions, exploring the interplay between them, and telling stories that reveal their cultural and historical connections. New Muse partners with other arts and educational organizations to present free, multidisciplinary concerts across the city of Charleston, SC.
As an advocate for reframing Classical music as an inclusive art form and for promoting creative collaboration across the arts, Ms. Chernicoff has been featured in Charleston Magazine’s Arts Profile, The Post & Courier, Charleston City Paper, and as a presenter at PechaKucha 39 — a speaker series spotlighting members of Charleston’s creative community.
Ms. Chernicoff has performed as a recitalist, chamber musician, and orchestral player throughout the US, and in Europe, China, and South America. In 2007, she founded Trio Appassionata alongside cellist Andrea Casarrubios, and pianist Ronaldo Rolim.
Ms. Chernicoff has collaborated with the PostClassical Ensemble, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, INSCAPE Chamber Orchestra, and Alarm Will Sound, and has served on the chamber music faculty of Peabody Conservatory’s Preparatory Division and as the director of the Homewood Chamber Music Program at Johns Hopkins University. She performs regularly with the Charleston Symphony and Chamber Music Charleston, and serves on the steering committee for Spoleto SCENE, Spoleto Festival USA’s young patrons society.
She received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Peabody Conservatory as a student of Violaine Melançon and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland as a student of James Stern.
Ms. Chernicoff lives on James Island with her husband Jaan Rannik, an attorney and classical guitarist, and their rescue coonhound Mr. Bennett.
Ms. Chernicoff performs at CCCMF 2022 on October 6, 7, and 9
