Inna Yakusheva was born in the city of Moscow in the year 1998. She graduated from the Children's Music School of the Academic Music College affiliated with the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Subsequently, she graduated from the Academic Music College at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where she studied violin under the tutelage of Tatiana Balashova and piano under the guidance of Olga Mechetina. She is an alumna of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where she was mentored in violin by the People’s Artist of Russia, Professor Alexander Vinnitsky, and in piano by the Honored Artist of Russia, Associate Professor Ekaterina Mechetina. Since the year 2023, she has been serving as an assistant trainee at the Moscow Conservatory, under the instruction of the People’s Artist of Russia, Professor Alexander Vinnitsky. In the year 2015, she was awarded the First Prize at the International Music Competition for Young Performers "Dedication to Sergei Prokofiev" held in Moscow. In the year 2016, she secured the Second Prize at the Open All-Russian Competition for Young Performers on String Instruments "Merzlyakovka Invites Friends," also held in Moscow. In the year 2023, she was honored with the title of "Best Participant of the Second Round" at the XVII International Tchaikovsky Competition, which took place in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and she also received the Second Prize at the International Violin Competition "VIOLINISSIMO" held in Kazakhstan. Since the year 2018, she has been a recipient of the Presidential Grant of the Russian Federation. She has been an active participant in the programs of the Saint Petersburg Music House since the year 2022.
 
Inna Yakusheva: I was born into a family deeply rooted in music. My mother is a pianist, and one of my brothers and my sister are violinists. Consequently, music resonated throughout our home from the moment I was born, and from a very young age, I envisioned myself as a violinist. The piano became a part of my life almost immediately after I began my violin studies. This transition occurred after I swiftly grasped the bass clef during a solfeggio lesson, and my mother, upon the recommendation of the solfeggio teacher, decided to enroll me in piano classes as well. I am grateful that events unfolded in this manner, despite the various challenges. Studying two instruments significantly enhances one's musical ear and allows for a multifaceted perspective on any musical composition.
 
Saint Petersburg Music House (SPMH): School, college, conservatory, assistantship. Which stage was particularly challenging for you?
Inna Yakusheva: There wasn't a single, specifically challenging stage. All the years of my education were extremely varied, yet they seamlessly transitioned from one to the next.
 
SPMH: What did you enjoy playing during your childhood?
Inna Yakusheva: One of my most cherished memories is from the beginning of my musical studies, when I played pieces on open strings, such as "The Elephant." We had to imagine ourselves as various animals, and it was incredibly fun and engaging.
 
SPMH: At the age of 17, you became the winner of the International Competition for Young Performers "Dedication to Sergei Prokofiev." In your opinion, what is the principal musical message left by this composer?
Inna Yakusheva: I believe that Prokofiev's music embodies a wonderful sense of humor, boldness in fairy-tale fantasies and experiments, and an incredible melodic vibrancy. A love for life and emotions is, in my opinion, what he conveyed through his music.
 
SPDM: Who has had the greatest influence on you among your teachers, musicians, and composers?
Inna Yakusheva: Undoubtedly, all of my teachers have exerted a profound influence on my musical life. I cherish all the memories associated with them with great care and profound gratitude. In general, I am greatly inspired by the art of music itself, including pedagogy, performance, and composition.
 
SPDM: "River of Talents." What did this creative experience provide you?
Inna Yakusheva: For me, this project served as a starting point following the "COVID years." It is undeniably an outstanding project that offers significant motivation to present oneself in the best possible light, thereby encouraging greater practice and a more determined pursuit of one’s goals, which is essential for a musician to avoid stagnation. The master classes with distinguished professors provide invaluable experience, as they involve an exchange with someone entirely new. Establishing contact and understanding in a short period, which allows for productive work, is crucial. The subsequent performance of Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1 with an orchestra was an immense joy for me, as it is one of my most cherished violin concertos. The entire process of creating this project—from the inception of the idea, its development, and its realization from beginning to end—is incredibly labor-intensive and remarkable. In my view, it is exceptionally noble to support young musicians who aspire to express themselves. I extend my immense gratitude to everyone who brought this project to life from start to finish. It is an absolutely wonderful initiative that has been assisting many young musicians for many years.
 
SPMH: Which projects of the Music House are currently inspiring you? 
Inna Yakusheva: All of the projects have a profoundly inspiring effect on me, as each performance brings a wealth of new experiences: encounters with diverse ensembles, conductors, and chamber groups, the careful selection of the program, and the unique venue where the concert takes place.
 
SPMH: Last year, you were awarded the title of "Best Participant of the Second Round" at the XVII International Tchaikovsky Competition. How did your musical life change after participating in the competition?
Inna Yakusheva: Participating in the XVII International Tchaikovsky Competition provided me with invaluable musical experience and the opportunity to meet renowned violin masters and wonderful fellow participants. The creative interaction with such individuals imbues you with their energy, which motivates various artistic achievements. On the whole, my life has not changed; I still need to practice as much and as diligently. However, the number of concert performances has significantly increased.
 
SPMH: Prokofiev, Kreisler, Ysaÿe, Wieniawski – in your opinion, who contributed the most to your success in the second round?
Inna Yakusheva: In my opinion, the overall impression from all the pieces contributed to this result. Different people had different feedback. Some highly praised Prokofiev's Sonata, while others greatly appreciated Ysaÿe's piece.
 
SPMH: With whom would you like to share the stage?
Inna Yakusheva: If I had the chance, I would dream of attending a concert by Niccolò Paganini and performing alongside David Oistrakh, who has always been a paragon for me. 
 
SPMH: In your opinion, what qualities should a young musician possess to avoid getting lost among their peers?
Inna Yakusheva: Every musician should be genuine and possess their own unique vision and sound while staying within the framework of the composer's intent.
 
SPMH: A day without the violin – how might it be filled?
Inna Yakusheva: Time without the violin is exceedingly rare, but if such a day does occur, I would most likely devote it to spending time with my family and loved one.
 
Interview prepared by Tatiana Mikhailova