With enthusiasm and pride, violinist and instructor Nina Farvarshchuk—a faculty member at the Municipal Center for the Arts (CMA) and a member of the Camerata Mazatlán—is preparing to take part in the first edition of the Mazatlán Strings Festival 2026. This event was conceived to create a specialized space and introduce new generations of musicians to the performance and study of this repertoire.
Farvarshchuk, who has lived in Mazatlán since 2001, highlighted the significance of having an event in the state dedicated exclusively to string instruments for the first time—a major step forward for the region’s cultural offerings.
“I feel very proud and grateful. I would say that nothing of this kind—dedicated purely to strings—has ever been done in Sinaloa before; it is a gem for our state,” she said.
The instructor emphasized that while Sinaloa is widely known for its tradition of wind and brass band music, there is also a strong community of string musicians. She therefore considers it valuable to have a space that showcases this artistic expression while simultaneously motivating young people studying string instruments.
“We exist, too: we might like *banda* music, but we are string musicians. I believe dedicating this special space to strings is incredibly valuable for Sinaloa, and especially for Mazatlán,” she added.
A Dual Role: Concert Artist and Educator
Farvarshchuk will play a dual role in the Mazatlán Strings Festival 2026:
As a concert artist, she will perform in the opening concert on September 27—an event serving to introduce the guest artists prior to their open classes and masterclasses. Additionally, she will perform in a second concert on October 1 at the Church of San José, sharing the stage with other soloists and an orchestra to perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, her favorite composer. Bach holds a special place in her training and artistic repertoire, as she considers him her favorite composer.
“For me, Bach is the number one composer. I can listen to him for hours. It can be any instrument—cello suites, violin works, concertos; he wrote so much music,” she shared.
As an instructor, Nina Farvarshchuk will conduct masterclasses focused on conveying that mastering an instrument goes beyond mere technique.
One of her main goals will be to show students that learning an instrument is not limited to technique but requires developing sensitivity and a passion for music.
“We have to cultivate a passion for the violin and explain that it isn’t just about technique; above all, it is about music—complex yet beautiful, highly intelligent music,” she emphasized.
For this event, the performer has been preparing with daily practice sessions, having reclaimed her violin in July following a maintenance process.
Finally, she commended the young organizers for spearheading a project that elevates the standing of string players in Sinaloa.
“It is something truly deserved for the state of Sinaloa, and especially for Mazatlán: to highlight that string music exists here too, and to secure a place of distinction for Sinaloa’s musicians,” she concluded.
