Ilya Kaler took his first violin lessons from his father, violinists of the USSR State Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, student of M. Pester. He studied at the Central Music School of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in the class of Z. Gilels and Y. Yankelevitch, and then at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory under L. Kogan and V. Tretyakov.
The first major concert took place in 1983 when he performed with the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Philharmonic Society under the direction of D. Kitaenko.
Ilya Kaler performs solo with the world famous orchestras, collaborates with a number of outstanding conductors, including V. Gergiev, D. Kitaenko, M. Jansons and E. Semkov. He performs around the world as part of The Tempest Trio with cellist Amit Peled and pianist Alon Goldstein.
Has performed as a guest accompanist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra of New York. The Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Detroit and Seattle Symphony Orchestras. He has toured with the World Peace Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev.
Ilya Kaler records a lot of albums for Naxos Records within the framework of the exclusive contract including 24 caprices by Paganini, which have received the highest praise of world music critics.
Ilya Kaler is a Professor at several music academies and universities in the United States. He also works as a jury member of international violin competitions.