Nadia Sofokleous
“My Chedeville Umbra allows me to create a thousand colours with effortless freedom.”
Biography:
Nadia Sofokleus (Hamoudi) is a renowned clarinetist and educator born in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Her musical journey began at the age of 13 when she discovered her passion for the clarinet. Currently residing in Germany’s Black Forest District, Nadia currently serves as the head of the Woodwind department of the Musikakademie Villingen-Schwenningen.
Nadia’s clarinet education began at the High School of Arts in Oradea under the guidance of instructors Rodica Malita and Gheorghe Calinescu. In 1996, she studied at the Music University “Ciprian Porumbescu” in Bucharest, under Valeriu Barbuceanu. She then attended the University of Music in Trossingen, studying with Chen Halevi. In 2005, Nadia pursued advanced studies with Francois Benda at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano. Throughout her musical journey, Nadia participated in masterclasses with renowned clarinetists including Antony Pay and Charles Neidich.
Nadia has garnered numerous accolades and scholarships, including the esteemed “Emma Contestabile” and “Diploma di Merito” scholarships from the prestigious Accademia Chigiana, the “Excellence of the Music” scholarship from the University of Bucharest and the “Apáczai” Foundation scholarship.
Nadia has claimed top prizes in several Romanian national competitions, including the coveted First Prize and Grand Prize at the national competition “Young Talents.” She also secured accolades at the Music Olympiad in Romania and international competitions such as the “Jeunesses Musicales” (1996) and “Saverio Mercadante” (2004).
Her musical journey has led her to perform at prestigious festivals such as Kreuzgangskonzerte Alpirsbach, Lange Schwenninger Kulturnacht, Faszination Klarinette, George Enescu Festival, Chamber Music Festival Brasov, New Music Festival Bucharest, ECA Clarinet Congress, and the ICA ClarinetFest.
Nadia has performed as a soloist with esteemed ensembles such as the Air force Academy Band, Corda Cracovia Orchestra, Villingen Schwenningen Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of the Romanian Radio Bucharest and Oradea Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Her orchestral experience includes engagements as a solo clarinetist in the Giurgiu Symphony Orchestra and the Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra in Bucharest.
As a passionate educator, Nadia has taught masterclasses at several esteemed institutions, such as the University of Bucharest, Clarinet Days in Hungary and the ECA Clarinet Congress in Krakow. She has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Music in Trossingen and actively mentors students for the Blasmusikverband Schwarzwald Baar.
Nadia is a proud artist of Chedeville mouthpieces, RZ Clarinets and SCV Ligatures.
