Karolina Protsenko is a Ukrainian-born violinist whose heartfelt performances have captivated audiences worldwide. Born on October 3, 2008, in Kyiv, Ukraine, she moved to the United States with her family in 2015 at the age of six . Raised in a musically inclined family—her father plays guitar and her mother is a pianist—Karolina began her classical violin training upon their relocation .
She first gained widespread attention in 2017 by busking on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California. Her impromptu street performances, often accompanied by her father and other musicians, quickly went viral, leading to millions of views across various platforms . Karolina’s YouTube channel, “Karolina Protsenko Violin,” boasts over 8 million subscribers and nearly 2 billion views as of 2024 .
Beyond her online presence, Karolina has showcased her talents on national television, including appearances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” where she performed a duet with violinist Lindsey Stirling . In November 2023, she made her orchestral debut with Orchestra Nova LA, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the classical music scene .
Despite her fame, Karolina remains grounded and dedicated to her education and family. She continues to perform both on the streets and in concert halls, sharing her passion for music and spreading joy to audiences around the globe.
