Twenty–one year old violinist Jung-min Amy Lee was born in Seoul, Korea. She began her violin studies at the age of ten and made her solo debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the age of fifteen. Since then, Ms. Lee has appeared with the Temple University Symphony Orchestra, the Kennett Symphony Orchestra, the Lower Merion Symphony, again with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2000, and, most recently, with the Curtis Chamber Orchestra on their tour in Japan last spring playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Ms. Lee has won the Philadelphia Orchestra Greenfield Competition, Philadelphia Orchestra’s Mann Music Guild Competition, Temple University Concerto Competition, and Kennett Symphony Orchestra Competition. Ms. Lee is presently a student at the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studies with Ida Kavafian. In addition to the violin, she also plays the viola.

Twenty-two-year-old Eric Nowlin , began playing the violin at age seven, and by age eleven began his formal training on viola. He began his early studies in Madison, Wisconsin with Eugene Purdue and Katrin Talbot, continuing in high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy. Having completed his Bachelor’s degree at the Juilliard School, he is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree studying with Samuel Rhodes, violist of the Juilliard String Quartet.

A Cellist from Seoul, South Korea who studies with Laurence Lesser at the New England Conservatory in Boston. She attended the Korean National University of the Arts at age seventeen. Ms. Kim has won several competitions in Korea, including first prize in the Dong-Ah, Choong-Ang Music Competition and the Grand Prix in the Seoul Youth Music Competition.

Sixteen-year-old violinist Howard Zhang was born in Shanghai, China, and has studied violin with his father since the age of three. He presently studies with Dorothy DeLay and Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School. His principal teachers include Hyo Kang and Abram Shtern. He made his debut at the age of nine when he performed the Bruch Concerto in G minor with the Redlands Symphony (California).

“Howard’s overall performance at the Competition was nothing less than spectacular,” said Director Mitch Klein. “He possesses both the fire and flair that captivated our audience and technique and expressivity that won over our judges. As with so many of our winners, he will be an artist to watch in the years to come.”

As guest artist, Mr. Zhang has performed most of the major violin concerti with the following symphony orchestras: Vancouver, San Diego, Louisiana, Charleston, Long Beach, Dallas, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Monterey, Puerto Rico, Winnipeg, and Shanghai.He has performed in recitals for the Stradivarius Society and at the Music Festivals of Spoleto, Aspen, and the Perlmans’ music program. He has been featured in television news articles on PBS and other stations. Mr. Zhang has won the Young Musican/David Rose Memorial Scholarship for the last seven years. In 1993 he won the first prize in the American String Teachers Association Competition. In 1994, he was honored with the loan of a three-quarter sized violin made by Gagliano in 1760, courtesy of the Stradivarius Society and violinist Midori. Mr. Zhang’s CD featuring Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnol will come out this year. Congratulations!