Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanya Sax
Hi Vanya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well it was very long time ago in a very small town in Ukraine. I was 10 years old when my father brought me and my twin brother to the music school. I wanted to play an instrument but didn’t know which one, the teacher asked if I would love to play Saxophone and I said I don’t know what that is. So One teacher started paying for me and I fall in love. When I was in 7 grade I realized music that’s what I want to do in my life and I want to be very good on Saxophone. After 9 grade I went to Music College im.S.Krushelnytskoyi (in Ukraine You can do that) I was 16 years old. 4 years later I graduated the best in my class. After that in 2009 I went to Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts on full scholarship (Same I had in college).
Kyiv is where the life started. I was 20 years old and very motivated. I can’t remember how many concerts I played there, how many TV shootings I had with some Ukrainian artists but I knew one thing I was happy. I was playing everywhere I performed from the biggest concert halls in Ukraine and also Kremlin in Russia to hospitals for people with cancer. I was on a tour with Big bend in Europe. I really loved my life.
When I was a student I received an award from the Mayor of Kyiv and Mayor scholarship for one more year. In 5 years I graduated with Master degree.
2015 was a year with a big changes in my life.
In 2014 we had a crazy situation in Ukraine. We had the biggest revolution and Russian invasion with probably helped me to make the decision and made me move to the USA I also wanted to be closer to my Twin Brother who already was here. In December 2015 I dropped my PHd school and moved to the United States to the land with big opportunities looking for freedom, success and better life.
First 4 years was very hard, my English was only beginner level, I had to do construction work. I worked for my brother but I also was playing saxophone in some restaurants. Finally the last 4 years I’m a full time Musician. I do what I love and my Business is growing and I’m very thankful. I do a lot of weddings and different parties. I worked at Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. I was a resident Dj at FabrikaPhilly for almost 4 years. But of course I have a dream to be on a big stage.
I got a chance to play at the party with Snoop Dogg, I played for Dolph Lundgren (Ivan Drago from Rocky Balboa), worked at the Night Shyamalan’s foundation party. When I was playing Saxophone I also met Eagles player Brandon Graham, Mike Jerrick, Jennaphr Frederick, Alex Holley from Fox29news. and Melissa Magee from 6abc. And I worked at the best Tailgate with Dj Smooth.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It never a smooth road. Time was hard and difficult. I’m sure every road has up and down, and I had a time when I almost quit… Crazy part that first couple of years I was doing construction and I had to play Saxophone on the weekend.
I don’t really like to talk much about problems, but at the beginning not be able to speak language it was very hard.
There is always
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Saxophone player and I can play bunch of different songs. But I have a passion to House Music. I love to play live House/Dance music with different Djs but the best part that I can do it with my own Dj sets.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am always open to collaboration if it supports my goals, beliefs or charity.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanya_sax/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078926959466
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjp4CMoV8TpQ3C1jmAbDGwQ
Image Credits
Aaron Raysor Raysorphotography, Art Rawman
