Enjoy an afternoon of captivating music with student winners and acclaimed faculty members Candace Chien, Nicholas Pappone, and Gloria Kim. Be spellbound by Beethoven’s powerful Triple Concerto, played by these talented artists, backed by The Accord Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Julien Benichou.
Join us for enriching and enjoyable entertainment suitable for the whole family. Everyone is encouraged and warmly welcomed. Additionally, we host a Meetup group for those seeking to broaden their community and share a Sunday with the orchestra among like-minded individuals.
Experience outstanding performances at the DCSW Annual Concerto Presentation, which will be held at UDC Theatre on Sunday, April 7th, in collaboration with the Accord Symphony Orchestra. Talented student winners will play alongside renowned faculty members Candace Chien, Nicholas Pappone, and Gloria Kim. Be moved at 5pm by Beethoven’s powerful Triple Concerto, played by these skilled musicians, accompanied by The Accord Symphony Orchestra led by Maestro Julien Benichou.
Student Soloists:
Candace Chien, piano;
Nicholas Pappone, Violin;
Gloria Kim, cello
Dr. Jinha Park, Concerto Audition Program Director
Julien Benichou, Music Director/Conductor
Andrew M. Lee, Artistic/Executive Director
University of the District of Columbia Theatre of the Arts Hall
Carl Maria von Weber Concertino in E-flat major, Op.26, I. Adagio ma non troppo
Olivia Kim is a 9th-grade student at Dwight Morrow High School, Academy at Englewood. She has excelled in her musical journey under the guidance of her dedicated teacher, Seungho Choi. Olivia's musical talents have flourished as a member of the NYYS Chamber. Since 2023, she has showcased her skills in the Träumerei Clarinet Quintet. Additionally, she has demonstrated her commitment and versatility as a member of the Amadeus Youth Wind Orchestra, impressively playing both the Bb Clarinet and Bass Clarinet. Olivia's exceptional abilities have earned her recognition in the musical community, including being selected for the 2023-24 NJ Regional Band and the 2023-24 Bergen County Band. Her achievements extend to notable competitions, where she was a finalist at the NY Classical Music Competition in 2021 and secured 1st and 2nd prizes at the Manhattan International Music Competition and the NY International Music Competition, respectively in 2020. Olivia's dedication and talent have been further acknowledged with a Certificate of Achievement from NY State Senator John C. Liu and a 1st Place win at the prestigious Little Mozart Competition.
Goltermann Cello Concerto No.4 in G Major, Op. 65, I. Allegro
Maxwell Jones, a second grader from Fort Lee, New Jersey has studied cello since the age of five and half. He is currently studying with Gloria Kim and he performed at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall as the winner of national competition.
Giuseppe Tartini Flute Concerto in G Major, GT 1.A18a, I. Allegro
Evelyn Ha, an exceptionally talented 8-year-old, has already made waves in the music world with her remarkable achievements. She has clinched 1st place at the National Artis Competition, showcasing her prodigious talent and musical prowess at such a young age. Evelyn's remarkable journey continues with her recent triumph as the winner of the New York International Music Competition, further solidifying her position as a rising star in the musical realm. Currently, Evelyn is honing her skills under the guidance of her dedicated teacher, Ashely Hae Jee Cho, who is instrumental in nurturing her budding talent and shaping her promising musical future.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467, II. Andate
Emily Venkataraman is a very musical 12-year-old. She has been playing piano since she was 7 and has performed in several recitals, including the Kimmel Centre in Philadelphia. She was also invited to perform at Strathmore. She has been learning with her teacher, Dr. Jinha Park, for the past two years. In addition to the piano, she sings and does musical theater. She recently performed in Gypsy at Ovations Theatre and will be singing in the upcoming opera Turandot at the Kennedy Center.
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No.1, in C Major, Op. 15 , I. Allegro con brio
Tyler Song is a junior in high school in Potomac, Maryland. He began playing piano when he was in elementary school and also plays violin for his school orchestra. Tyler has participated and been recognized in multiple music festivals & competitions and enjoys playing a wide variety of genres of music. In his free time he enjoys reading, UI design, and biking.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467, II. Andate
Luke is a Sophomore at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland. He has been playing piano since the third grade and has performed in various competitions and concerts, including: MSTSA ensemble, the 2022 and 2023 Triumph International Music Festival, the YMIC International Music Competition at Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Music Festival, and as a finalist for the Cogen Concerto. Luke believes in the healing power of music and serves as a volunteer at Payne Elementary School in Washington DC. Besides the piano, Luke enjoys camping, biking, taekwondo, and traveling to learn about different cultures of the world.
Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in c minor, Op. 18 , I. Moderato
Minjae Jeon is a young pianist from Potomac, Maryland who has been playing the piano since the age of 6. She has been studying with Dr. Jinha Park since the fall of 2022. While learning from Dr. Park, Minjae has had many opportunities to showcase her talent in various recitals and competitions. She performed in the Triumph Music Festival in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the years 2022 and 2023. She won first place in the 2022 YMIC Metropolitan Classical Music Festival, as well as first place and Best Performer in the 2023 YMIC Piano Concerto Online Festival. She earned an honorable mention in the 2023 Thomas F. Hulbert International Competition, was a winner in a WMTA judged recital, won first place in Charleston Competition’s 2023 World Music Competition and 2023 Romantic Music Competition, placed second in the 2023 Marlin-Engel solo competition and the 2024 Ruth P. Cogen Concerto Competition at Levine School of Music, and was awarded third place in the Maryland division of the Opus Music Competition. Beyond her solo performances, Minjae has served as a piano accompanist during chorus concerts. Through her musical pursuits, Minjae not only honed her performance skills but also cultivated a sense of confidence that permeates into every aspect of her life, whether at school or home.
Herman Clebanoff Millionaire’s Hoedown
Emma started studying piano at age 5, and has won numerous competitions and awards over the years. She started studying violin at age 9, and is currently a member of the “Maryland Classical Youth Orchestra”. She enjoys playing soccer and she plays as a defender in soccer club MDFusion.
Dmitry Kabalevsky Cello Concerto no.1 in g minor Op. 49, I. Allegro
Justin Lee, 12 from Virginia, started to study cello at age 4 and is currently a student of Clara Minhye Kim. In 2024, Justin won first place in Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association’s Concerto Competition and NVMTA’s Bach/Baroque Festival. In addition, Justin placed second in the Camerata Artists International Concerto Competition. Justin also won first place in many other competitions including Washington National Youth Competition (2018), American Protége Piano & String Competition (2019), Washington Performing Art’s Joseph and Goldie Feder Memorial String Competition (2019), King’s Peak International Music Competition (2022), YMIC Virtuoso International Music Competition (2022) and Asian American Music Society International Competition (2022). Justin was featured in Maryland Public Television and he has performed at Weill Hall Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Merkin Hall, DiMenna Center and the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Justin attended the Heifetz International Music Institute in the summer of 2023 under the tutelage of Thomas Mesa. Justin is also passionate about Chamber and Orchestral music. He served as the principal cellist at American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra’s String Ensemble in 2023-2024 season, and he was a member of the Quantum Piano Trio and currently a member of the Mosaic Quartet since 2022. Aside from playing the cello, Justin enjoys folding complex origami models. Justin’s artwork has been featured on “The Paper” magazine by Origami USA and has been selected to be displayed in a traveling exhibit for schools, libraries and museums.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467, II. Andate
Jeremy Hines is a passionate pianist who has rekindled his love for the instrument after a 25-year hiatus. His journey back into the world of music in 2022 has led him to perform at notable venues and festivals across the globe, including the Winter Harbor Music Festival and the prestigious International Academy of Music Festival in Garfagnana, Italy. Last September, Jeremy was awarded first prize in the adult mature category at the Triumph Music Festival. This July, he looks forward to enchanting audiences at the Burgos International Music Festival in Burgos, Spain.
Camille Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2 in g minor, Op. 22, I. Andante sostenuto
Alexandra Vinokurov, at 17 years old, has been studying piano since the age of six under Elena Arseniev and has participated in numerous competitions. In 2022 and 2023, Alexandra performed at the Carnegie Weill Recital Hall. She also performed at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia in 2021 and 2022 after winning first prize at the Triumph International Music Festival. Currently, Alexandra is in her third year of studying with Dr. Jinha Park. She also studies at the Levine School of Music as an Honors student. Furthermore, Alexandra has participated in masterclasses with Joseph Rackers (Eastman School of Music), Efrem Briskin (Manhattan School of Music), Yong Hi Moon, Marian Hahn (Peabody Conservatory), and Gregory Brown (Five Browns Ensemble). In addition, she has played live for ballet performances at Kirov Academy of Ballet in DC. Aside from piano, Alexandra excels academically at Poolesville High School. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and painting.
Pierre Rode Violin Concerto No. 8 in e minor, Op. 13, I. Moderato
Christopher Yun, a fifth-grade student at Chevy Chase Elementary School in Maryland, has been playing the violin since the age of four. He has showcased his talent at various prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall in November 2023, where he was honored as the winner of the American Fine Arts Festival. Christopher has also earned accolades in competitions such as the Philadelphia International Music Festival, Summit Music Festival, Triumph Music Festival, Rockville Music Competition, and YMIC International Competition where he secured second place in the string division. Additionally, he has been featured in community magazines as an Artist of the Month alongside his violin teacher, Gersh Chervinsky. Christopher is an active member of the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras (MCYO), currently serving as concertmaster in the Chamber Strings Orchestra. When he's not immersed in music, Christopher enjoys listening to classical music and playing basketball.
Max Bruch Romance Op. 85 for Viola & Orchestra
Angelin Cho, currently a sophomore in High School, started her musical journey as a violist at the age of ten. Throughout her continuing journey, she has participated in a wide range of ensembles and orchestra programs along with music programs such as Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra (MCYO), New Life Philharmonic Orchestra (NLPO), Symphonic Orchestra, All State junior and senior orchestra, Young Musicians Inspiring Change (YMIC), etc. She has also participated and won in various competitions and festivals such as the 2024 Concert Artists International Competitions, the 2024 Winter Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition, the Great Composers Competition (the Music of 18th Century), Metropolitan Music Festivals, and YMIC Global Competition (performed at Winners Concert at Carnegie Hall).
Camille Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1 in a minor, Op. 33, III. Molto allegro
Zoie Chu is a 13-year-old cellist and seventh grader at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School. She started studying cello at the age of five and currently studies with Mrs. Christina Gullans at Levine Music. She is also a member of the Orion Youth Orchestra under the Annapolis Symphony. Zoie has been a member of the Heifetz Institute Music Festival, Greater Washington Suzuki Summer Camp, and the MCPS Junior Honors Orchestra. Recently, she won first place in the Instrumental Intermediate Division of the Ruth P. Cogen Concerto Competition. She also played in a master class with Baltimore Symphony’s Assistant Principal Cellist, Lachezar Kostov. Aside from cello, Zoie is an avid bass player in her school orchestra and jazz band. In her free time, Zoie likes to swim, listen to music, and hang out with friends.
Felix Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in e minor, Op. 64, I. Allegro molto appassionato
Nadim Spohr started studying music in Beirut, Lebanon, at the age of 7. Since 2018, he has lived in New York City, studying with Nicholas Pappone. During that time, he won several awards, including 1st place at the 2021 Triumph Music Festival, including a performance a the International Academy of Music in Philadelphia, 3rd place at the 2021 Rondo Vanguard competition, including a performance at Victor Borge Hall in New York, and 3rd place at the 2022 Pittsburgh International Performance Competition, including a performance at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie. He is currently 18 and will be attending Case Western Reserve University as part of its class of 2028, studying aerospace engineering.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Le nozze di
George Enescu Concert Piece for Viola and Orchestra
Emma Zou is a versatile musician with exceptional talent in viola, composition, and piano. Born on July 20, 2006, Emma's musical journey began at a young age, igniting a passion that would shape her remarkable career. Under the guidance of Tzi-Ming Yang, Emma has earned numerous accolades, including Grand Winner at the AAFAA Young Artist Competition. In the realm of viola, Emma serves as the Principal Violist in the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras' Philharmonic, showcasing her exceptional skill and musical leadership. She has also received prestigious awards such as 1st Prize at the VIVO International Music Competition and multiple honors at the U.S. Army Orchestra Young Artist Competition. In addition to her solo endeavors, Emma is a dedicated chamber musician, participating in string quartets and piano ensembles. Her commitment to collaborative music-making is evident through her involvement in volunteer projects such as the Do Re Mi Project and the Tacy Foundation.
Édouard Lalo Cello Concerto in d minor, I. Prélude. Lento — Allegro maestoso
Joseph Yun, a 10th-grade student at Northern Valley Demarest High School, is a rising star in the music world. With victories at the Prima Volta Music Competition and the Manhattan International Music Competition, along with being named the winner of the New York International Music Competition, Joseph's talent shines brightly. He has also earned a Certificate of Achievement from NY Senator John C. Liu.
Joseph's performances have graced prestigious venues like the Summit Music Festival and Carnegie Hall. Currently studying with Gloria Kim, Joseph's dedication and skill promise a bright future in music.
Ludwig van Beethoven Triple Concerto, Op.56, I. Allegro, II. Largo, III. Rondo alla Polacca
Nicholas Pappone, violin
Gloria Kim, cellist
Candace Chien, piano
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