Violinist Fedor Ouspensky’s weekend does not resemble the weekends of his fellow eighth grade classmates at Cooper Middle School in McLean. On an average Saturday, Fedor is not sleeping in or watching television like the majority of his peers. The 13-year-old violinist follows a strict and rigorous schedule: wake up at 8 a.m. for a lesson in music theory, then drive to his violin lesson, followed by practice with his quintet and duo. In between all of this, he finds time to do his homework and also fit in an art class or two, all before heading to the Kennedy Center to watch his father perform.



BORN IN YAROSLAVL, Russia, Fedor has been playing the violin since he was 5. His family has lived in the area for the past 11 years and has been actively involved in the music scene of the Washington, D.C. area. Fedor currently plays in two local orchestras, in addition to making guest appearances for various music groups, including the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra. He also has a co-concertmaster position at the American Youth Philharmonic Symphonic Orchestra. Even at his young age, he has played at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Kennedy Center. This past Sunday, he was a featured performer for the Capitol Symphony in Washington, D.C. On average, Fedor racks up 60 major performances per year, and the number is steadily rising.

“I practice about 2 1/2 hours a day,” said Fedor. “I used to practice more, but I want to stay on top of my school work.” He formerly attended the Russian Embassy School in Washington, D.C. where he spoke only Russian, but moved to Cooper this year after the academics started to interfere with his music. “The curriculum at the Embassy school was so rigorous. Moving to the Fairfax County Public School system allowed him to be closer to home and have more time to practice,” said Anna Ouspenskaya, Fedor’s mother.

“It’s a natural thing to be a musician in this family,” she said. Fedor’s grandmother, who lives with the family, began teaching Fedor violin and still often helps him when he needs it. Fedor’s father, Igor Zubkovsky, is currently a cellist in The Kennedy Center’s National Opera. His parents have opened up a studio in their home called The Music Studio at Hunter Mill where they give lessons to students in the local community on piano, cello, violin, viola and various other chamber ensemble instruments.



FEDOR practices at The Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C., where he is an Alfred A. Goodrich Memorial Violin Scholarship recipient. He takes lessons from Peter Sirotin, another violinist who is the founder of the Mendelssohn Piano Trio. “Fedor has progressed very well in recent years,” said Sirotin. “He is a very diligent and methodical student. Even though he comes from a family of musicians, it is excellent work ethic that has brought him his success.” Sirotin credits Fedor’s grandmother for helping to develop his skills and practicality towards music.

When he grows up, Fedor said he wants to always be involved with violin. “I might want to become a conductor or a solo violinist.” Even though he is only in the eighth grade, he’s already thinking about his future after high school — Julliard and The Curtis Institute of Music are already being considered for schools.

In November, Fedor will be playing at The White House to participate in master classes given by such musicians as Joshua Bell, Alisa Weilerstein and Awadagin Pratt during the Fourth Presidential Music Series. Next year, he plans to attend Langley High School and participate in the orchestra there.