Sergei Vassiliev is the founder of Educational Partnerships Immersive Concerts (EPIC), a classical concert series that seeks to be a transformative force in the Colorado Springs arts scene. EPIC reimagines the concert experience through community engagement, innovative programming, and opportunities for genuine human connection. Launched in 2020 with support from the Peak Arts Prize, EPIC has been praised by The Colorado Springs Gazette as “not your parents’ classical music series.” It brings together local audiences with rising stars and renowned musicians from ensembles such as the Kronos Quartet and major orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, and Paris National Opera Orchestra. More information is available at https://epicmustsee.org.

 

Since 2009, Vassiliev has served as principal clarinetist of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. He performs actively across the U.S. and Europe as a soloist, chamber musician, and clinician. Festival appearances include Festival Mozaic, the Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Sarasota, and Music Academy of the West, among others. He has held principal clarinet positions with the Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestra and Boise Philharmonic, and appeared as guest principal with Music in the Mountains. He has also performed with the Houston Symphony, Colorado Symphony, and most recently, the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel at Walt Disney Concert Hall and under Thomas Søndergård at the Hollywood Bowl. In 2019, he was featured as both artistic director and soloist in the Colorado Springs Philharmonic’s Signature Series.

 

A dedicated educator, Sergei maintains a private studio in Colorado Springs and has served on the faculties of the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs and Colorado State University. He has given masterclasses at institutions including UCLA, the University of Connecticut, the University of Tennessee, and the Kharkiv Conservatory in Ukraine. His principal teachers include Yehuda Gilad, Richard Hawkins, Fred Ormand, and Michael Webster. He is a D’Addario Artist and holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Rice University, and the University of Southern California.