Abouzahra will compete with two other finalists: violinists Franz Ludwig Seraffin Kraggerud (8) from Norway and Sofia Demitriades (13) representing Great Britain and Russia. Born to Hungarian mother Nóra Emödy and Egyptian father Ahmed Abouzahra, both musicians, Abouzahra is representing Germany and Austria in the competition.

Having passed through two demanding stages in the well-known Russian competition, which focuses on young talents performing classical music, the contestants will now face the jury and millions of TV viewers on 4 December.

Abouzahra has already gained numerous recognitions and performed on many stages across Europe. Her older sister Amira is an equally renowned young talent with impressive accolades for her violin performances. Most recently, Amira performed with a Budapest orchestra conducted by world-renowned tenor Plácido Domingo.

Granddaughters of the renowned Egyptian actor Abdelrahman Abouzahra, the sisters are among the few young talents offered support from Domingo's Young Virtuosos Foundation, where they obtain masterclasses and guidance in their musical journey.

Dubbed the Nutcracker, the International Television Contest for Young Musicians has been held since 2000 and focuses on performances on piano, strings (violin, cello, harp) and winds and percussions (except for block flute).

In the competition's finals, the young musicians are accompanied by world-famous Russian orchestras such as the Moscow Chamber Orchestra Musica Viva, the State Chamber Orchestra Virtuosos of Moscow, the Tchaikovsky State Academic Grand Symphony Orchestra, and the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia.

The Nutcracker’s winner represents Russia at the Eurovision Young Musicians Competition.

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