He was born in 1940, in Leningrad. Survivor of the Leningrad Blockade. He graduated the Saint-Petersburg State Conservatory named after Rimsky-Korsakov and completed postgraduate studies by professor Dmitry Eremin.
The laureate of International Competition in 1963, the winner of International Competition in Budapest (1965) and Prague (1968). Honored Artist of the Russian Federation.
From 1963 to 1972, he was the soloist of Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, and from 1972 to 1989 - the soloist-regulator of bassists group of the Honored Collective of Russia, the Academic Symphony Orchestra of Leningrad Philharmonia under the baton of Evgeny Mravinsky.
Since 1973 he has been teaching at the Saint-Petersburg State Conservatory named after Rimsky-Korsakov. Since 1991, he is the head of of woodwinds department.
During his teaching at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, over 50 bassoonists graduated the class of Kirill Sokolov. Among his students are many laureates and diplomants of All-Russian and International competitions. His students work in orchestras of St. Petersburg, Moscow and other cities of Russia, as well as European countries. They teach at conservatories.
The International Council for Science of the American Biographical Institute honored Kirill Sokolov with the title "Man of the Year 1998".
Kirill Sokolov constantly conducts master classes both in Russia and abroad. He takes part in International and All-Russian Competitions as a chairman, or as a member of the jury.
He was awarded the prize of the Regional Public Foundation "Russian Performing Arts" for outstanding creative achievements in 2003 and 2004.
He was awarded the Order of Honor under the RF Presidential Decree in 2007.
He regularly gives master classes and actively collaborates with the St. Petersburg Music House.
