Russian-born Nikita Lukinov started studying in 2005 at Voronezh Central Music School with Svetlana Semenkova, an alumna of Dmitry Bashkirov. Nikita’s first success was a Grand-Prix at the 2010 International Shostakovich Piano Competition for Youth (Moscow). Nikita’s debut with a symphonic orchestra was at the age of 11. Other achievements include 1st place in the Inter-Russian piano competition for young pianists; the Diploma in International television competition for young musicians (the “Nutcracker”); and 1st place in the Inter-Russian Concerto competition, where at age 14 he performed Chopin’s Concerto No. 1, Op.11 with orchestra.
After studying in Russia, Lukinov moved to London to continue his studies at Purcell School for Young Musicians, the oldest and one of the most prestigious music schools in the U.K. Nikita had a full scholarship to study there, where his musicianship was cultivated by Tatiana Sarkissova ( a former student of Dmitry Bashkirov). While studying at the Purcell School, Nikita had his Kings Place and Wigmore Hall debuts, and also won The Purcell School Concerto Competition. He performed Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 1, Op.10 and Mozart’s Concerto No. 15, K.450 with the Purcell School Orchestra at the age of 15.
Nikita has been fortunate to gain numerous concert opportunities at prestigious venues across the U.K. and beyond, such as St. Martin in the Fields, Wigmore Hall (London), Kings Place (London), Fazioli Hall (Italy), The Small Hall of Moscow Conservatory, and St. Petersburg Music House. Nikita has had masterclasses with maestri Dmitry Bashkirov, Dmitry Alexeev, Andrzej Jasiński, Roy Howath, J-F. Bavouzet, Steven Osborne, Olga Kern, Vladimir Viardo, Dang Thai Son, Noriko Ogawa, Aaron Shorr, Kirill Gerstein, Boris Slutsky, and Yaron Kohlberg.
Nikita is a recipient of a scholarship from Voronezh’s State government “For Outstanding Cultural Achievements;” the Russian Children’s Foundation and the international charity foundation, New Names; as well as a scholarship from the National Artist of Russia V. Ovchinnikov. Nikita also received a scholarship from the International Academy of Music in Liechtenstein and participated in the Intensive Music Weeks and activities offered by the Academy in 2020. Since September 2017, Nikita has continued his education at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on a full scholarship with Petras Geniušas.