March 8, 2013
The Arts Council of Princeton PResents
Bravura Philharmonic
Young Virtuosi
Program
Popper Hungarian Rhapsody, Op. 68
Robin Park, cello
Liszt La Leggierezza
William Chen, piano
Saint-Saens Concerto No 1 in A minor, Op. 33
Allegra Whiting, cello
Brahms Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
Katie Liu, violin
Lalo Symphonie Espagnole, Op. 21
Enrique Rodrigues, violin
Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Jessica Hong, cello
Return to 2012-13 season
Nine-year-old William Chen started studying the piano at age five. His teachers are Michael Thomopoulos and Olga Alino at the Palisades School of Music in Fort Lee, New Jersey. At his young age, Williams has already given a one-hour solo recital which featured composers Haydn, Debussy and Chopin. In November, William was invited to participate in the XIII Nutcracker International Competition, Moscow, Russia. He got full score from four judges in his semifinal round, and was awarded an outstanding diploma. In August, William was invited as a ”Child Prodigy” to the Southampton Arts Festival, where he performed in four concerts. At age 7, William gave his debut performance as a soloist with “Le Petit Orchestre.” William has received the Gold Prize from the “American Association for the Development of the Gifted and Talented” (“AADGT”), First Prize in the Crescendo International Competition, First Prize in the “Little Mozarts” Competition, an award for “Special Performance for Contemporary Music,” and a special award in the Young Pianist Competition of New Jersey. He also won the Grand Prize in the Prima International Competition, and Second Prize in the New Jersey Music Teacher Association Competition. By winning these competitions, he performed at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
Jessica Hong, 14, started playing the cello since the age of seven. Jessica has participated in the Central Jersey Regional Orchestra and New Jersey All- State Orchestra since 2009. She was the principal cellist of the Central Jersey Regional Orchestra, and second chair cellist in the New Jersey All-State Orchestra in 2011. In the same year, she won a Gold Prize at the National League of Performing Arts Competition, an Honorable Mention in the Goldblatt Scholarship Competition, and Second Place in the 14th New York Music Competition, performing at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in the winner’s concert. She won the 2011 New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra’s Young Artist’s Concerto Competition, and performed with the orchestra at Dolan Hall of Saint Elizabeth College in Morristown, NJ. Jessica was one of the winners of the 2012 National League of Performing Arts Young Virtuosi Concerto Competition, and performed at Caldwell College. In 2010, she participated in the Music Alp Festival in Courchevel, France. She also attended the 8th Great Mountain International Music Festival in 2011, in Pyungchang, South Korea. During the summer of 2012, Jessica participated in the 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, in Montreux/ Vevey, Switzerland. She is a student of Clara Kim in the Juilliard School of Music Pre-College Division.
Katie Liu is a freshman at Mount Olive High School. She started playing violin and piano at age five and has won many competitions, including the Flushing Violin Competition. She is a student of Duoming Ba, a member of the New York Philharmonic, and a winner in the Golden Key Music Festival, American Strings Teachers Association Solo Strings Competition, and the New Jersey Music Teachers Association Young Musician Competition. Katie is an honor student who enjoys math club, debate club, and various school volunteer programs.
Robin Park, 11, is a 6th grader at the West-Windsor Plainsboro Community Middle School. He is principal cellist of the 6th grade orchestra and assistant principal cellist of the chamber orchestrain Community Middle School. He served as assistant principal cellist of Region II Intermediate Orchestra in 2013 and has been a member of the YOCJ Symphonic Orchestra since 2012. He received the bronze prize in the 2013 Bravura Young Artists Competition. Robin studies with Marnie Kaller in Morristown, NJ and has studied with Yumi Kendall, Thomas Kraines, and Minhe Clara Kim. Robin is enrolled in the Advanced & Enriched Math program in school. He enjoys playing duets with his sister, Soyeong, and likes soccer, swimming, drawing, writing, and playing with his bunny Leo.
Enrique Rodrigues is a student at the Warren Point Elementary School in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. He has been a student of Joey Corpus since 2013. He was formerly a student of Duoming Ba, under whose tutelage Enrique has blossomed as a violinist. Enriqu was the winner of the New Jersey American String Teachers Association Solo Competition, first prince in the New Jersey Music Teachers Association Young Musicians' Competition, the Lansdowne Concerto Competition, the Bravura Young Artists Concerto Competition in 2011 and in 2013, the New York Concerti Shining Stars Competition. Enrique has performed in Carnegie Weill Recital Hall as a result of winning these competitions. Enrique was a Starling Foundation Scholarship student at the Meadowmount School of Music, studying under Jan Mark Sloman. Enrique and his sister Krista have performed at various retirement homes and assisted living centers.
Allegra Whiting, a 15-year-old from West Caldwell, NJ, began studying cello with Marnie Kaller at the age of five. She is currently a student of Clara Kim in the Juilliard Pre-College Division. In 2010, Allegra was the featured soloist with the NJ Intergenerational Orchestra. As a two-time winner of the National Young Musicians Showcase Competition, she performed solos at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. She was also a winner of the Florence Boughton Competition for Young Artists, the Frank and Lydia Bergen Scholarship Concerto Auditions, and the New York Music Competition. She is a finalist in the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra Competition. She has played in masterclasses for Lynn Harrell, Steven Isserlis, Andre Emelianoff, Carter Brey, and Eric Bartlett. She has participated in a workshop and performance of the Bach Goldberg Variations with Matt Haimovitz. SHe studied at the Meadowmount Music School as a student of Hans Jensen. Allegra enjoys swimming, tennis, skiing, and traveling.