Contestant

Nikita Lukinov is a Scotland-based pianist heralded for his “extraordinary breadth and freedom of imagination” (Gramophone) and named a 2023 BBC Music Magazine Rising Star. He has captivated audiences as a soloist in venues across renowned venues in the UK, Europe and Russia, including London’s Wigmore Hall, the Southbank Centre, Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, Barcelona’s Palau de la Música, the Verbier Festival, Fazioli Hall, and Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Moscow. His live and studio performances have been broadcast by BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 3 and Scala Radio.
In October 2022, Nikita became the youngest senior staff member at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and across all UK conservatoires. Nikita is a dedicated member of the Live Music Now Scotland scheme, passionately committed to providing live music of an international standard to socially disadvantaged communities.
For the 2024/25 season, Nikita embarks on a tour of 40 recitals and outreach events in Scotland, spanning from the Scottish Borders to Orkney Islands and from Aberdeen to the Isle of Skye. It is anchored by prestigious venues, including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Inverness Town Hall, St Giles’ Cathedral, Perth Concert Hall, and culminating at the St Magnus Festival 2025.
This tour is in close collaboration with the Live Music Now Scotland, and alongside piano recitals in concert halls and music clubs, Nikita delivers outreach events in local care homes and schools for children with special needs in the areas of his recitals. He says: “It is an unbelievable feeling when people’s eyes sparkle so joyfully and sincerely after the performances, and I know I contributed something truly valuable.”
Other 2024/25 season highlights include recitals at the London Armourers’ Hall, London Bechstein Hall and London St Martin-in-the-Fields.
A disciple of the Russian Piano School, Nikita Lukinov started his musical education at the age of six in Voronezh, Russia. At the age of 10, he gave his debut performance as a soloist with a symphonic orchestra and at 14, he was awarded full scholarships to study at the Purcell School in London. Nikita was awarded a full scholarships to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in 2017, a Master’s Degree in 2021, and an Artist Diploma Degree in 2023 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) at the class of Prof. Petras Geniušas.