Nina Bernat is the first prize winner at the 2019 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition and first and grand prize winner of the 2022 Minnesota Orchestra Young Artist Competition.
At the age of 19, she performed as guest principal of the Israel Philharmonic under Adrás Schiff and Osmo Vänskä as well as with the New York Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel. As a recipient of the 2019 Keston MAX Fellowship, she performed with the London Symphony Orchestra on a subscription series concert at the Barbican Centre and in a chamber music concert for LSO Discovery Day at LSO St. Lukes.
On December 1, 2022, Nina was awarded the Grand Prize at the fourth annual Lillian and Maurice Barbash J.S. Bach Competition. This competition is held at Stony Brook University and has attracted talent from the world over. Nina is the first bassist to win the competition.
We dig into her journey so far, what it was like having her dad as her teacher, the great Discover Double Bass interview she did with Geoff Chalmers, her father Mark Bernat’s recent second recording of the Bach Cello Suites, and more.
Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Nina on her website, Instagram, and YouTube!
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Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – CMU is dedicated to helping each student achieve their goals as a musician. Every week each student receives private lessons and participates in a solo class with Micah Howard. Peter Guild, another member of the PSO, teaches Orchestral Literature and Repertoire weekly. They encourage students to reach out to the great bassists in their area for lessons and direction. Many of the bassists from all of the city’s ensembles are more than willing to lend a hand. Every year members of the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet give classes and offer our students individual attention. Click here to visit Micah’s website and to sign up for a free online trial lesson.
- theme music by Eric Hochberg