Violinist Leonid Sushansky has been praised for his “gorgeous tone” and “passionate intensity” by The Washington Post and described as “astonishing” by The New York Times. He made his Carnegie Hall recital debut in 2005 with pianist Edward Newman and has since performed as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician in major venues worldwide. His collaborations include performances with the New York Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony, Romanian State Philharmonic, and Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York, among many others. His artistry has also been featured on numerous radio and television programs.

Sushansky’s musical journey began under the guidance of his mother, Rimma Sushanskaya, a student of the legendary David Oistrakh. At 12, he gained early recognition performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto on a Marvin Hamlisch TV special. A scholarship student at The Juilliard School from age 13, he studied under the renowned Dorothy DeLay and received coaching from Isaac Stern. By 15, he made his debut with the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta, performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. He later completed graduate studies at the University of Maryland with Daniel Heifetz and the Guarneri Quartet, touring extensively with Heifetz and receiving mentorship from Wolf Trap founder Catherine Filene Shouse.

A dedicated educator, Sushansky is on the faculty of the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C., and has previously taught at the University of Mary Washington and the Academy of Fine Arts in Maryland. His students have held concertmaster positions in leading youth orchestras and gone on to study at prestigious conservatories, including Juilliard and Boston University. In addition to teaching, he serves as the Artistic Director of the National Chamber Ensemble, curating innovative programs and performances.

Sushansky’s recent appearances include recitals at the Kennedy Center, Bargemusic in NYC, and international debuts with Musica Animae Orchestra in Berlin and Leipzig. He has performed with the Philharmonisches Kammerorchester Berlin and collaborated with distinguished artists, including composer Lowell Liebermann and violinist Dylana Jenson. Among his many accolades, he has won the New York Philharmonic National Young Artists Competition and the Bergen Philharmonic Competition. His upcoming engagements feature performances at the Kennedy Center, a debut in Ecuador, and collaborations with pianist Thomas Pandolfi in a program celebrating the music of Bach, Liebermann, and Brahms.

Currently, he resides in Arlington, Virginia, and in addition to the violin he enjoys theater, reading, and rollerblading.