Instrument: Violin
With the RPO since: 2002
Favorite time of year in Rochester and why: Spring, because of the beautiful lilacs.
Hometown: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Drink or food you're most likely to order at Java's: Strawberry smoothie
When not performing with the RPO, you can find me... At school, doing my homework or going to classes; practicing for my lesson; playing solo or chamber music concerts.
First music-related memory: My elder brother practicing violin at our apartment. I was captured by this sound and wanted to learn to play the violin, too. I was four or five.
I decided to be a professional musician when... I entered the School for Gifted Children. My teacher was very inspiring and I decided to dedicate myself to the violin.
Favorite travel destination: Any country in the world. I love traveling and discovering something new and interesting in every new place I visit. My favorite place -- Europe.
Influential teachers: Olga Danilova, Aiman Musakhojaeva, Oleh Krysa (here at Eastman!)
Favorite ice cream flavor: vanilla
What are your other "hidden" talents? I love reading. I also enjoy taking pictures, of people, friends, my family, flowers -- it has to be spontaneous, though, not prepared.
Do you teach private students? Yes, I have two private students.
What other orchestras have you performed with? I worked as concertmaster of the Kamerata Kazakhstan. I also have worked for the Almaty Symphony and the Astanan Opera Orchestra.
Favorite restaurant in town and why. I just discovered the Olive Tree and liked it a lot. A great variety of very tasty, healthy foods.
What types of music do you like to listen to? Any good music: classical, jazz or pop.
Do you have a pet? In Kazakhstan I have two dogs; here I don't.
The RPO is essential to Rochester because... it gives a lot of joy to people that come to concerts; its high performance standard serves as an example to young musicians and students of the Eastman School of Music; it sets a high standard of culture in Rochester.
My favorite part of working in the RPO is... learning the repertoire! It's absolutely great for me to learn so much, and I also try to learn from the other musicians playing in the RPO.
If someone were visiting Rochester, what would you tell them to go see or do? If they come in spring, I would take them to the Lilac Festival! Otherwise -- a concert at the RPO (!), George Eastman House, Eastman School of Music, Sibley Library, events at Eastman, malls.
Biography
Ainur Zabenova received her bachelor’s degree from the Almaty State Conservatory in Kazakhstan. She also held the position of Concertmaster of the chamber orchestra Kamerata Kazakhstan from 1997 until 2001. In 2002 she came to the U.S. to pursue her master’s degree at the Eastman School of Music with Professor Oleh Krysa and graduated with the Performer’s Certificate. She joined the RPO in the fall of 2003. Ms. Zabenova teaches violin at the University of Rochester and is pursuing her doctorate at Eastman.
