Hailed by New York Times as “…Hou is a magical pianist who plays with impressive clarity and character…..a commanding, imaginative and impish performance….” pianist Miao Hou captivates audiences with her virtuosity, lyricism, and interpretive sensitivity. After winning the Gold Medal of both Virginia Waring International Piano Competition and Rolf and Brigitte Gardey International Piano Competition, Miss Hou is fast establishing a rising reputation for her fresh and versatile artistry as a soloist and chamber musician. Hou showcases her colorful musical personality in solo recitals and collaborations with the world’s top orchestras and chamber musicians. Born into a musical family, Miss Hou began her piano studies in her native China at the age of four and was awarded a full scholarship to the Shenyang Music Conservatory at age of twelve. In the same year, she won the first prize of Xing Hai Chinese Prodigy Piano Competition. In 1997, Miss Hou received the grand prize at the Pearl River Young Artist Piano Competition and Hong Kong International Piano Solo Competition and by the age of fifteen, she had concertized throughout China. At sixteen, Miao Hou was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music where she was a pupil of Seymour Lipkin and was awarded the Festorazzi Prize as the “Best Pianist of the Year.” She completed her Master degree at Juilliard School where she studied with Jerome Lowenthal and obtained Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. [Read more...]
MS. STELLA YU-YUN HSU Miss Stella Yu-Yun Hsu, a native of Taiwan, started her formal piano training at age of 6, and later also studied cello as a second major at 7. Music occupied most of her life. Miss Hsu earned her Bachelor degree at National HsinChu University of Education and came to United States to study her Master Degree at The prestigious Manhattan School of Music under the guidance of Dr. Nina Svetlanova. As a active performer, Miss. Hsu played many concerts as a solo pianist, solo cellist and chamber member of cello part in around the world. She has performed extensively in Taipei, HsinCHu City, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and many other major cities. As a teacher, She has many kinds of students and their range of age are very wild .experience of preparing entrance exam, level examination, and concert repertoire. [Read more…]
MS. TITI GAO
Pianist/composer Yuntiao Gao is recognized for her eloquent and virtuosic performances as a soloist, composer and chamber musician. Ms. Gao performs diverse repertoire that incorporates familiar works from the piano repertoire as well as compositions by 21st-century composers. In the past seasons, Gao has given recitals at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, New York Chamber Music Society, Shenyang National Concert Hall, Beijing Performing Arts Center, Long Island Performing Center and China National Hall.
A dedicated and enthusiastic chamber musician, Ms. Gao has performed in many highly respected music festivals. Motivated by the enthusiastic pedagogical activities by her mentors, Ms. Gao always make time to teach amid her performances, she is frequently invited to give outreach concerts and Master classes in US and abroad. Ms. Gao currently serves as the piano faculty at Vienna Music School and Long Island Tutoring Academy where she teaches both piano performance and music composition. Read more…
STRINGS
MS. KORNELIA RADOMSKA Ms. Kornelia was born into a Polish family without any musical tradition. However, as a child prodigy, she filled the house with full of inspiring music-making. At age of eight, Ms. Kornelia was invited to perform on the National Television in Poland. Since then she has performed extensively in Lithuania, Austria, Slovakia or Italy, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States. Ms. Kornelia has appeared with many leading orchestras including Guildhall Symphony Orchestra, Orpheus Sinfonia, SY Symphony Orchestra, Open Philharmonic of Musical Safety Pin and many others. Ms. Korneliawas had an opportunity to work with Gordon Nikolitch, Pavel Berman, Giuliano Carmignola, Jacqueline Ross, Pavlo Beznosiuk, Leszek Brodowski, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Krzysztof Jakowicz. Ms. Kornelia did an interview with Ida Haendel during her last master-class with Razumovsky Academy in London. She has also been invited to perform in Dino Ciani Festival as a guest artist. [Read more…]
MR. XIN OU WEI Hailed by Ida Haendel as “profoundly musical”, Mr. XinOu Wei has performed across the United States, Europe, and China. He made his debut at age nine with Shenyang Symphony Orchestra, and in 2002 he was chosen to be a part of the program “Perlman in Shanghai”. XinOu Wei has worked with prominent conductors including Leonard Slatkin, Gunther Schuller, David Robertson, Joseph Colaneri, Kynan Johns, Larry Rachleff, Robert Spano, Hugh Wolff, and David Zinman. Mr. Wei has also worked closely with the composers Lowell Liebermann and Paul Moravec, and developed an interest in both Baroque and contemporary music. In the 2014-15 season, Mr.Wei was invited to perform as a guest artist at America-Israel Cultural Foundation’s 75th Anniversary Gala Celebration at Lincoln Center in New York, hosts by Itzhak Perlman. He is a prize winner in the 2014 Heida Hermann International String Competition. [Read more…]
DR. ARMEE HONG Born in Seoul, South Korea, violinist Armee Hong began studying violin at the age of 14. In spite of her relatively short study, she was accepted to Deokwon Art High school with scholarships. Armee obtained her bachelor’s degree from Ewha Womans University in 2006. During her high school and college years, Armee won the concerto competition and the chamber music competition and had made appearances at the important concert venues in Seoul such as Seoul Arts Center and Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Later Armee went to Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University Bloomington for her master’s degree as a merit award recipient, where she is currently pursuing her doctoral degree under the guidance of Professor Mark Kaplan. Since 2007, Armee has also been studying baroque violin along with modern violin with Professor Stanley Ritchie who is regarded as one of the world’s leading exponents of baroque and classical violin. She attended numerous music festivals and master classes throughout Europe and Asia and appeared as a soloist in many concerts. [Read more…]
MR. JOHN AUSTIN
(Violin, Viola & Alexander Technique instructor) is an active chamber and orchestral performer in the greater NYC area where he is a member of the Manhattan & Bergen Symphonies. In addition to his classical roots he has recorded and performed live with numerous folk, jazz, and hip-hop groups. Mr. Austin served as the University of North Carolina School of the Arts viola teaching assistant while pursuing his undergraduate degree in viola performance there. He was also a member of the Asheville and Winston-Salem Symphonies while in NC. Mr. Austin is an AmSAT certified Alexander Technique teacher. He has taught AT lessons and lectured at Columbia and McGill Universities. [Read more…]
CELLO
Mr. Giorgi Jorjadze was born and grew up in a music family in Tbilisi, the capital of Republic of Georgia. Giorgi started playing cello at the age of 7. He completed his Master’s degree at Tbilisi State Music Conservatoire under the guidance of Tamara Gabarashvili (Mstislav Rostropovich student and Tchaikovsky competition 5th prize 1966). Giorgi Jorjadze is an active soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. During his professional career he performed in venues such as The Royal Concertgebouw, Konzerthaus Berlin, Festspielhaus Salzburg, European Parliament Brussels. [Read more…]
VOCAL
MS. SERENA WANG Soprano Pei-Ying Serena Wang , a Native of Taiwan, Kaohsiung. She started her formal piano training at age of 6. Miss Wang earned her Bachelor degree at National Pingtung University and graduated from Taiwan National Sun Yat-Sen University with a master degree in vocal and got the first prize of scholarship. She has studies with Ming-Jie Wu, Sue-siou Lu, Je-Jiun Chan, Wang-Sue Wang and Sherry Overholt. Wang has performed the roles of operas in Queen of Night and first spirit from “Die Zauberflute” with Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra, Lucia from “Lucia di Lammermoor”, Yum-Yum from “Mikado”, Rosalinde from “Die Fledermaus”, Adina and Giannta from “L’elisir d’amore” with Orchestra of NSYSU . In 2014, Wang won a prize of “Rising Star New Voices” in a competition and award music scholarship held by Association of Vocal Artists of R.O.C in Taiwan , and performed “Rising Star New Voices” concert in National Taipei recital hall. She got the first prize for Kaohsiung region and second prize for nationwide in The National Student Competition of Music. In addition, she worked with Orchestra of NSYSU and stood out in an annual Concerto Competition for voice. Same year, she won the third prize and fourth prize in Chinese Folk Song contest held by RITRCA (Taiwan Rotary Clubs Association). Her first premiere of Broadway musical play was Doreen in “Kiss Me Kate”. [Read more…]
Trombone DR. CHENG-WU CHU
Dr. Cheng-Wu Chu, also known as William Chu, is currently the bass trombonist of the Queensboro Symphony Orchestra, the New York Wind Orchestra, the Queensboro Symphony Brass Choir, and the Superb One Trombone Quartet in the New York area. As an active orchestral and chamber musician, he has performed with many prominent ensembles such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, the Ministry of National Defense Symphony Orchestra in Taiwan, the Yinqi Symphony Orchestra, Queens College Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble. He also shared stages with many world renowned trombonists such as Dietmar Kublbock, and David Taylor. Dr. Chu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shih-Chien University in Taiwan, Master of Arts degree from Queens College, The City University of New York, and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas. He is the first bass trombonist who has earned a D.M.A degree in Taiwan. He is also the first Asian bass trombonist who focuses on the research in the area of electronic music and bass trombone performance. In 2006, he was awarded the Joan Ress Memorial Award from the Copland School of Music, Queens College, CUNY. In 2008, he received the Prestigious Distinguished Students Scholarship from the Ministry of Education of Taiwan. Since 2007, Dr. Chu serves as the executive director and faculty of the Summer Trombone Workshop – Taiwan and the Asia Trombone Seminar where he worked with many distinguished trombonists from all over the world and helped trombone musicians from different continents pursing their dreams in perfecting their trombone performance.
Guitar MR. SATOSHI KATAOKA
Satoshi Kataoka is a guitarist, composer and arranger living in New York City. He attended the Jazz Performance program at The City College of New York where he studied with world acknowledged musicians like, John Patittuci, Mike Holober, Scott Reeves and many others. Satoshi has had opportunities to play with some great players such as John McNeil (Horace Silver, Tom Harrell, Billy Hart, Bob Brookmeyer), Joe Martin (Chris Potter, Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, Maria Schneider), Jochen Rueckert (Mark Turner, Marc Copland, Pat Metheny, Sam Yahel) and many more. In 2015, he has released his first album “Fall Into the Place”, which consists of all his original pieces, from the Surca music. The album recorded with Adam Kolker (Billy Hart, Paul Motian), Pablo Menares (Melissa Aldana’s Crush trio, Claudia Acuna) and Allan Mednard (Kurt Rosenwinkel, Aaron Parks). He has been actively playing in the city and abroad, since the college years at the venues such as Iridium, Smalls, Fatcat, Cornelia St Cafe, ShapeShifter Lab and many other places in NYC, as well as some jazz festivals overseas. He’s been playing in some different groups and his own trio, quartet, quintet and larger ensemble.
PIANo
Hailed by New York Times as “…Hou is a magical pianist who plays with impressive clarity and character…..a commanding, imaginative and impish performance….” pianist Miao Hou captivates audiences with her virtuosity, lyricism, and interpretive sensitivity. After winning the Gold Medal of both Virginia Waring International Piano Competition and Rolf and Brigitte Gardey International Piano Competition, Miss Hou is fast establishing a rising reputation for her fresh and versatile artistry as a soloist and chamber musician. Hou showcases her colorful musical personality in solo recitals and collaborations with the world’s top orchestras and chamber musicians. Born into a musical family, Miss Hou began her piano studies in her native China at the age of four and was awarded a full scholarship to the Shenyang Music Conservatory at age of twelve. In the same year, she won the first prize of Xing Hai Chinese Prodigy Piano Competition. In 1997, Miss Hou received the grand prize at the Pearl River Young Artist Piano Competition and Hong Kong International Piano Solo Competition and by the age of fifteen, she had concertized throughout China. At sixteen, Miao Hou was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music where she was a pupil of Seymour Lipkin and was awarded the Festorazzi Prize as the “Best Pianist of the Year.” She completed her Master degree at Juilliard School where she studied with Jerome Lowenthal and obtained Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. [Read more...]
MS. STELLA YU-YUN HSU Miss Stella Yu-Yun Hsu, a native of Taiwan, started her formal piano training at age of 6, and later also studied cello as a second major at 7. Music occupied most of her life. Miss Hsu earned her Bachelor degree at National HsinChu University of Education and came to United States to study her Master Degree at The prestigious Manhattan School of Music under the guidance of Dr. Nina Svetlanova. As a active performer, Miss. Hsu played many concerts as a solo pianist, solo cellist and chamber member of cello part in around the world. She has performed extensively in Taipei, HsinCHu City, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and many other major cities. As a teacher, She has many kinds of students and their range of age are very wild .experience of preparing entrance exam, level examination, and concert repertoire. [Read more…]
MS. TITI GAO
Pianist/composer Yuntiao Gao is recognized for her eloquent and virtuosic performances as a soloist, composer and chamber musician. Ms. Gao performs diverse repertoire that incorporates familiar works from the piano repertoire as well as compositions by 21st-century composers. In the past seasons, Gao has given recitals at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, New York Chamber Music Society, Shenyang National Concert Hall, Beijing Performing Arts Center, Long Island Performing Center and China National Hall.
A dedicated and enthusiastic chamber musician, Ms. Gao has performed in many highly respected music festivals. Motivated by the enthusiastic pedagogical activities by her mentors, Ms. Gao always make time to teach amid her performances, she is frequently invited to give outreach concerts and Master classes in US and abroad. Ms. Gao currently serves as the piano faculty at Vienna Music School and Long Island Tutoring Academy where she teaches both piano performance and music composition. Read more…
STRINGS
MS. KORNELIA RADOMSKA Ms. Kornelia was born into a Polish family without any musical tradition. However, as a child prodigy, she filled the house with full of inspiring music-making. At age of eight, Ms. Kornelia was invited to perform on the National Television in Poland. Since then she has performed extensively in Lithuania, Austria, Slovakia or Italy, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States. Ms. Kornelia has appeared with many leading orchestras including Guildhall Symphony Orchestra, Orpheus Sinfonia, SY Symphony Orchestra, Open Philharmonic of Musical Safety Pin and many others. Ms. Korneliawas had an opportunity to work with Gordon Nikolitch, Pavel Berman, Giuliano Carmignola, Jacqueline Ross, Pavlo Beznosiuk, Leszek Brodowski, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Krzysztof Jakowicz. Ms. Kornelia did an interview with Ida Haendel during her last master-class with Razumovsky Academy in London. She has also been invited to perform in Dino Ciani Festival as a guest artist. [Read more…]
MR. XIN OU WEI Hailed by Ida Haendel as “profoundly musical”, Mr. XinOu Wei has performed across the United States, Europe, and China. He made his debut at age nine with Shenyang Symphony Orchestra, and in 2002 he was chosen to be a part of the program “Perlman in Shanghai”. XinOu Wei has worked with prominent conductors including Leonard Slatkin, Gunther Schuller, David Robertson, Joseph Colaneri, Kynan Johns, Larry Rachleff, Robert Spano, Hugh Wolff, and David Zinman. Mr. Wei has also worked closely with the composers Lowell Liebermann and Paul Moravec, and developed an interest in both Baroque and contemporary music. In the 2014-15 season, Mr.Wei was invited to perform as a guest artist at America-Israel Cultural Foundation’s 75th Anniversary Gala Celebration at Lincoln Center in New York, hosts by Itzhak Perlman. He is a prize winner in the 2014 Heida Hermann International String Competition. [Read more…]
DR. ARMEE HONG Born in Seoul, South Korea, violinist Armee Hong began studying violin at the age of 14. In spite of her relatively short study, she was accepted to Deokwon Art High school with scholarships. Armee obtained her bachelor’s degree from Ewha Womans University in 2006. During her high school and college years, Armee won the concerto competition and the chamber music competition and had made appearances at the important concert venues in Seoul such as Seoul Arts Center and Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Later Armee went to Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University Bloomington for her master’s degree as a merit award recipient, where she is currently pursuing her doctoral degree under the guidance of Professor Mark Kaplan. Since 2007, Armee has also been studying baroque violin along with modern violin with Professor Stanley Ritchie who is regarded as one of the world’s leading exponents of baroque and classical violin. She attended numerous music festivals and master classes throughout Europe and Asia and appeared as a soloist in many concerts. [Read more…]
MR. JOHN AUSTIN(Violin, Viola & Alexander Technique instructor) is an active chamber and orchestral performer in the greater NYC area where he is a member of the Manhattan & Bergen Symphonies. In addition to his classical roots he has recorded and performed live with numerous folk, jazz, and hip-hop groups. Mr. Austin served as the University of North Carolina School of the Arts viola teaching assistant while pursuing his undergraduate degree in viola performance there. He was also a member of the Asheville and Winston-Salem Symphonies while in NC. Mr. Austin is an AmSAT certified Alexander Technique teacher. He has taught AT lessons and lectured at Columbia and McGill Universities. [Read more…]
CELLO
Mr. Giorgi Jorjadze was born and grew up in a music family in Tbilisi, the capital of Republic of Georgia. Giorgi started playing cello at the age of 7. He completed his Master’s degree at Tbilisi State Music Conservatoire under the guidance of Tamara Gabarashvili (Mstislav Rostropovich student and Tchaikovsky competition 5th prize 1966). Giorgi Jorjadze is an active soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. During his professional career he performed in venues such as The Royal Concertgebouw, Konzerthaus Berlin, Festspielhaus Salzburg, European Parliament Brussels. [Read more…]
VOCAL
MS. SERENA WANG Soprano Pei-Ying Serena Wang , a Native of Taiwan, Kaohsiung. She started her formal piano training at age of 6. Miss Wang earned her Bachelor degree at National Pingtung University and graduated from Taiwan National Sun Yat-Sen University with a master degree in vocal and got the first prize of scholarship. She has studies with Ming-Jie Wu, Sue-siou Lu, Je-Jiun Chan, Wang-Sue Wang and Sherry Overholt. Wang has performed the roles of operas in Queen of Night and first spirit from “Die Zauberflute” with Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra, Lucia from “Lucia di Lammermoor”, Yum-Yum from “Mikado”, Rosalinde from “Die Fledermaus”, Adina and Giannta from “L’elisir d’amore” with Orchestra of NSYSU . In 2014, Wang won a prize of “Rising Star New Voices” in a competition and award music scholarship held by Association of Vocal Artists of R.O.C in Taiwan , and performed “Rising Star New Voices” concert in National Taipei recital hall. She got the first prize for Kaohsiung region and second prize for nationwide in The National Student Competition of Music. In addition, she worked with Orchestra of NSYSU and stood out in an annual Concerto Competition for voice. Same year, she won the third prize and fourth prize in Chinese Folk Song contest held by RITRCA (Taiwan Rotary Clubs Association). Her first premiere of Broadway musical play was Doreen in “Kiss Me Kate”. [Read more…]
Trombone DR. CHENG-WU CHU
Dr. Cheng-Wu Chu, also known as William Chu, is currently the bass trombonist of the Queensboro Symphony Orchestra, the New York Wind Orchestra, the Queensboro Symphony Brass Choir, and the Superb One Trombone Quartet in the New York area. As an active orchestral and chamber musician, he has performed with many prominent ensembles such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, the Ministry of National Defense Symphony Orchestra in Taiwan, the Yinqi Symphony Orchestra, Queens College Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble. He also shared stages with many world renowned trombonists such as Dietmar Kublbock, and David Taylor. Dr. Chu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shih-Chien University in Taiwan, Master of Arts degree from Queens College, The City University of New York, and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas. He is the first bass trombonist who has earned a D.M.A degree in Taiwan. He is also the first Asian bass trombonist who focuses on the research in the area of electronic music and bass trombone performance. In 2006, he was awarded the Joan Ress Memorial Award from the Copland School of Music, Queens College, CUNY. In 2008, he received the Prestigious Distinguished Students Scholarship from the Ministry of Education of Taiwan. Since 2007, Dr. Chu serves as the executive director and faculty of the Summer Trombone Workshop – Taiwan and the Asia Trombone Seminar where he worked with many distinguished trombonists from all over the world and helped trombone musicians from different continents pursing their dreams in perfecting their trombone performance.
Guitar MR. SATOSHI KATAOKA
Satoshi Kataoka is a guitarist, composer and arranger living in New York City. He attended the Jazz Performance program at The City College of New York where he studied with world acknowledged musicians like, John Patittuci, Mike Holober, Scott Reeves and many others. Satoshi has had opportunities to play with some great players such as John McNeil (Horace Silver, Tom Harrell, Billy Hart, Bob Brookmeyer), Joe Martin (Chris Potter, Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, Maria Schneider), Jochen Rueckert (Mark Turner, Marc Copland, Pat Metheny, Sam Yahel) and many more. In 2015, he has released his first album “Fall Into the Place”, which consists of all his original pieces, from the Surca music. The album recorded with Adam Kolker (Billy Hart, Paul Motian), Pablo Menares (Melissa Aldana’s Crush trio, Claudia Acuna) and Allan Mednard (Kurt Rosenwinkel, Aaron Parks). He has been actively playing in the city and abroad, since the college years at the venues such as Iridium, Smalls, Fatcat, Cornelia St Cafe, ShapeShifter Lab and many other places in NYC, as well as some jazz festivals overseas. He’s been playing in some different groups and his own trio, quartet, quintet and larger ensemble.