 He went on to study at the Bern Conservatory of Music with Elisabeth Glauser, and obtained a Master's degree.In 1999, Kowaljov entered the Operalia competition, founded by Plácido Domingo, and won the CultureArte Prize.In 2003, Kowaljow stepped in to replace another singer as Procida in Verdi's "I vespri siciliani" at the Opéra National de Paris with James Conlon conducting, which led to his recognition and a long working relationship with Conlon.