Violinist Chee-Yun’s flawless technique, dazzling tone and compelling artistry have enraptured audiences on five continents. Charming, charismatic and deeply passionate about her art, Chee-Yun continues to carve a unique place for herself in the ever-evolving world of classical music.

About the Artist

Catherine Cho is recognized for her remarkable virtuosity, combining technical mastery of her instrument with an extraordinary and distinctive musicality. Praised by The New York Times for her “sublime tone”, she has appeared worldwide as soloist with many orchestras and chamber ensembles as well as in recital. Her repertoire ranges from the traditional works by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms to those of Bartók, Korngold and Berg, in addition to music of our time.

American violinist Soovin Kim is an exciting young player who has built on the early successes of his prize-winning years to emerge as a mature artist equally gifted in concerto, recital, and chamber music repertoire. Mr. Kim began the 2008-2009 season touring Europe with pianist Mitsuko Uchida performing Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la fin du temps to rave reviews. Highlighted among his concerto appearances will be his Russian debut performing the Sibelius concerto with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ignat Solzhenitsyn, coupled with a special recital performance at the American Embassy. The opening of the season also saw the release of Mr. Kim’s new recording on Azica Records of Chausson’s Concert for violin, piano, and string quartet and Fauré’s Sonata in A Major, op.13. This has been followed by concerto, chamber music, and recital performances in some of the world’s most prominent venues – Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Lincoln Center, Royce Hall, Herbst Theatre, and Strathmore Hall among them. Soovin Kim’s Chausson and Fauré recording with Azica Records was a collaboration with pianist Jeremy Denk and the Jupiter String Quartet.

Lauded by Krzysztof Penderecki as the “next Goddess of Violin,” violinist Ju-Young Baek made national headlines in Korea with her appointment as the youngest faculty member of the prestigious Seoul National University. In addition to her appointment, Ju-Young Baek enjoys an extensive international career. Many of world’s most important venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center in New York, Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and Seoul Arts Center, have presented her in recitals as well as a soloist.

Violinist Hyuk-Joo Kwon was the 1st prize winner at the 7th Carl Nielsen Violin Competition 2004 and received the special prizes as a best performer of Denmark Composition and a young popularity vote. In 2001, Hyuk-Joo graduated from the Moscow Central Music School and entered the Moscow Conservatory, where he today continues his studies with Professor Grach. That October he won the Grand-prix in the Kloster- Schoental Competition in Germany.

Violinist Stephanie Jeong was appointed Associate Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2011 by Music Director Riccardo Muti. Prior to joining the CSO, she was a member of the New York Philharmonic from 2010-2011. The top prize winner and recipient of the Best Paganini Concerto Prize of the 2008 Paganini Violin Competition in Italy, Jeong made her solo debut at age 12 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as winner of its Feinburg Competition and with The Philadelphia Orchestra as winner of its Albert M. Greenfield Competition.

Born in Korea in 1985, Ji-Yoon Park won first prize at the Hankuk Ilbo Competition at the age of nine, and two years later took home first prize from the Chosun Ilbo Competition. In 2001, one year after moving to France, she was awarded first prize at the Concours des jeunes interprètes de Canet in Roussillon, and went on to win first prize at the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition in Switzerland at age 18.