ArtistDirect News
University of Arizona Appoints Dr. Elena Chernova-Davis, Award-Winning Violinist, to School of Music Faculty
From the echoing halls of Paris to the vibrant campus of Tucson, Dr. Elena Chernova‑Davis arrives with a résumé that reads like a masterclass in modern classical music. On 17 June 2026, the University of Arizona announced that she will join the School of Music as an assistant professor of music – violin for the 2026‑27 academic year.
Chernova‑Davis’s career blends solo triumphs, orchestral leadership, chamber collaboration, and dedicated teaching. A prize‑winning competitor, she earned recognition at the Aleksander Glazunov International Competition in Paris, and has served as concertmaster for National Concerts at Carnegie Hall. Her solo engagements span the Arizona Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Nova, and the National Orchestra of Uzbekistan, while her chamber work keeps her in close dialogue with groups such as the Riverside Chamber Players, the Pedro Giraudo Tango Ensemble, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, and Con Vivo Music.
Her academic foundation is as impressive as her performance record. An honors graduate of the Tashkent State Conservatory, she advanced her studies in the United States under the tutelage of Misha Vitenson, Elmar Oliveira, Mikhail Kopelman, and Shmuel Ashkenasi. She has held faculty appointments at Rutgers University and Montclair State University, and has taught at summer festivals including Brevard Music Center, Bay View Chamber Music Festival, and InterHarmony International Music Festival.
Beyond the stage, Chernova‑Davis is a pioneer of interdisciplinary collaboration. She has orchestrated projects that fuse violin with dance, visual art, theater, storytelling, poetry, and non‑Western composers, underscoring her belief that classical music thrives when it intersects with other art forms.
Her scholarly voice emerged in October 2025 with the publication of Biber’s Mystery Sonatas: a riddle inside an enigma in The Strad. The article offers fresh insights into the structure and performance practice of the 17th‑century Rosary Sonatas, highlighting her dual commitment to research and performance.
The University of Arizona highlighted Chernova‑Davis’s dual strengths in its announcement. Her experience as a concertmaster at Carnegie Hall and as a soloist across the United States and Central Asia equips her to mentor students in both technical mastery and artistic interpretation.
The School of Music, long known for blending performance and research, welcomed the appointment as part of a broader effort to expand its faculty in string performance and interdisciplinary studies. The program has a history of inviting visiting artists and scholars who bring international perspectives, and Chernova‑Davis’s arrival strengthens that tradition.
Her global network—spanning collaborations with the National Orchestra of Uzbekistan and participation in international competitions—offers students tangible pathways to performance opportunities abroad. The university’s ties to the worldwide classical music community will deepen as she brings her experience and contacts to the campus.
In her new role, Chernova‑Davis will teach violin technique, chamber music, orchestral repertoire, and interdisciplinary performance projects. She will also continue her research into Baroque sonatas and contemporary violin literature, ensuring that students benefit from both her pedagogical expertise and her active scholarship.
Dean of the School of Music noted that Chernova‑Davis’s blend of performance excellence and pedagogical commitment aligns with the university’s mission to cultivate a diverse and globally engaged music community.
In summary, Dr. Elena Chernova‑Davis joins the University of Arizona as an assistant professor of violin, bringing a record of international competition success, high‑profile concertmaster and solo work, extensive chamber collaborations, interdisciplinary projects, and scholarly research. Her appointment expands the School of Music’s faculty expertise and offers students a unique opportunity to learn from a seasoned performer and educator with a global perspective.
Chernova‑Davis’s career blends solo triumphs, orchestral leadership, chamber collaboration, and dedicated teaching. A prize‑winning competitor, she earned recognition at the Aleksander Glazunov International Competition in Paris, and has served as concertmaster for National Concerts at Carnegie Hall. Her solo engagements span the Arizona Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Nova, and the National Orchestra of Uzbekistan, while her chamber work keeps her in close dialogue with groups such as the Riverside Chamber Players, the Pedro Giraudo Tango Ensemble, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, and Con Vivo Music.
Her academic foundation is as impressive as her performance record. An honors graduate of the Tashkent State Conservatory, she advanced her studies in the United States under the tutelage of Misha Vitenson, Elmar Oliveira, Mikhail Kopelman, and Shmuel Ashkenasi. She has held faculty appointments at Rutgers University and Montclair State University, and has taught at summer festivals including Brevard Music Center, Bay View Chamber Music Festival, and InterHarmony International Music Festival.
Beyond the stage, Chernova‑Davis is a pioneer of interdisciplinary collaboration. She has orchestrated projects that fuse violin with dance, visual art, theater, storytelling, poetry, and non‑Western composers, underscoring her belief that classical music thrives when it intersects with other art forms.
Her scholarly voice emerged in October 2025 with the publication of Biber’s Mystery Sonatas: a riddle inside an enigma in The Strad. The article offers fresh insights into the structure and performance practice of the 17th‑century Rosary Sonatas, highlighting her dual commitment to research and performance.
The University of Arizona highlighted Chernova‑Davis’s dual strengths in its announcement. Her experience as a concertmaster at Carnegie Hall and as a soloist across the United States and Central Asia equips her to mentor students in both technical mastery and artistic interpretation.
The School of Music, long known for blending performance and research, welcomed the appointment as part of a broader effort to expand its faculty in string performance and interdisciplinary studies. The program has a history of inviting visiting artists and scholars who bring international perspectives, and Chernova‑Davis’s arrival strengthens that tradition.
Her global network—spanning collaborations with the National Orchestra of Uzbekistan and participation in international competitions—offers students tangible pathways to performance opportunities abroad. The university’s ties to the worldwide classical music community will deepen as she brings her experience and contacts to the campus.
In her new role, Chernova‑Davis will teach violin technique, chamber music, orchestral repertoire, and interdisciplinary performance projects. She will also continue her research into Baroque sonatas and contemporary violin literature, ensuring that students benefit from both her pedagogical expertise and her active scholarship.
Dean of the School of Music noted that Chernova‑Davis’s blend of performance excellence and pedagogical commitment aligns with the university’s mission to cultivate a diverse and globally engaged music community.
In summary, Dr. Elena Chernova‑Davis joins the University of Arizona as an assistant professor of violin, bringing a record of international competition success, high‑profile concertmaster and solo work, extensive chamber collaborations, interdisciplinary projects, and scholarly research. Her appointment expands the School of Music’s faculty expertise and offers students a unique opportunity to learn from a seasoned performer and educator with a global perspective.