Scholarship Recipients
The Foundation launched its first Scholarship in 2020. It was open to violinists of all nationalities, the ages of 17-23, pursuing an undergraduate degree in music at an accredited university, college, or conservatory in the United States at the time of application. Double majors with music and another subject were also encouraged to apply.
Undergraduate students representing Depaul University, Juilliard, Rice University, UW Milwaukee, Boston Conservatory, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, New England Conservatory of Music, Indiana University – Jacobs School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, Wheaton College, and Mannes School of Music participated.
2025
Caroline Smoak
Caroline Smoak is a fourth year undergraduate violinist studying with Ayano Ninomiya at the New England Conservatory. She has soloed with several orchestras including the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra, and the Salisbury Symphony. She has also performed as concertmaster in concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall, and the Kennedy Center. Caroline was a prizewinner at the Bales Violin Competition and the Curb Concerto Competition, among others.
Most recently, her quartet, the Alira String Quartet, was selected as one of the winners of the NEC Honors Ensemble Competition and the Borromeo Guest Artist Award. The Alira Quartet was also invited to San Antonio, Texas in January for a fellowship where they were coached by the Escher String Quartet. Additionally, Caroline teaches violin and on the faculty of the Sharon Music Academy.
Apart from music, she enjoys baking, coffee, and spending time with her family and her cats.
Yoonjin Hwang
Yoonjin Hwang, a daring violinist from South Korea, began learning the violin at the age of nine. She made her progress at an incredible pace and started to win numerous competitions from the age of eleven, such as Ehwa&Kyunghyang Concours, Buwon Nation Music Concour, Gimpo Philharmonic Orchestra Music Concour, and New York Artists International Competition.
She has performed with renowned orchestras, including Gimpo Philharmonic Orchestra and Seoul Symphony Orchestra. Yoonjin moved to Boston from South Korea to further her broader and deeper musical development and continues pursuing Bachelor's with Soovin Kim at New England Conservatory.
2023
Minkyung Kang
Minkyung Kang, a violinist hailing from South Korea, embarked on her musical odyssey at the tender age of 5. Hailing from the vibrant musical landscape of Korea, Minkyung's virtuosity on the violin has garnered widespread acclaim, evidenced by her triumphs in distinguished competitions such as The Strad Competition, The Herald Competition, and The Young Artists Music Competition. She has graced prestigious stages, including The Young Artists Concert in Seoul and The Korea Young Artist Music Festival Gala Concert. Driven by an unwavering commitment to artistic growth, Minkyung sought guidance from luminaries like Soojin Han and Danny Koo, participating in enriching masterclasses. These experiences added nuanced layers to her interpretative skills, further enhancing her musical sensibilities.
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In pursuit of her passion, Minkyung made a transformative move to Boston, where she currently refines her craft at the renowned New England Conservatory under the tutelage of distinguished violinist Ayano Ninomiya. This academic chapter represents a pivotal phase in her quest for excellence as a violinist.
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Minkyung's narrative is one of talent, perseverance, and an unyielding commitment to musical artistry. Her journey, marked by accolades and artistic exploration, continues to unfold as she strives for new heights in the realm of classical violin performance.
Evan Pyne
Evan Pyne, born in Toronto, Canada, began studying the violin at age 6. He attended the Royal Conservatory’s Taylor Academy, under Barry Shiffman and Marie Bérard, and currently studies with Ilya Kaler at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He performed as a soloist with the Canadian Sinfonietta at age 12 and has since appeared with the Oakville, North York, Cambridge, and Huronia Symphony Orchestras in the greater Toronto area. He won first prize at the 2018 Canadian Music Competition, third prize at the 2019 Ilona Fehér International Violin Competition, and he was a finalist at the 2020 International Grumiaux Competition.
His performances at Canada’s National Commemorative Ceremony in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, and the National Commemoration for His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh were aired on the Canadian Broadcasting Company. Evan also received instruction from Vadim Repin, Guy Braunstein, Shmuel Ashkenazi, and Vadim Gluzman.
2021
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Shao-Che Hsi
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Shao-Che (Sean) started playing the violin from the young age of five in a local music classroom. Growing up, Sean participated in many national music competitions, and often as prize winners. Sean moved to New York City at the age of thirteen to pursue a career as a violinist, he studied under both Mr. I-Hao Lee and Mr. Hyo Kang in The Juilliard Precollege. Sean currently studies at The Juilliard School as a senior under the guidance of Mr. Masao Kawasaki. Sean participated and advanced as semi-finalists in The Wieniawski international violin competition for young violinists and The Tchaikovsky Violin Competition for Young Musicians.
Audrey Park
Praised for her “rich sound [and] excellent rhythmic drive” (violinist.com), young violin virtuoso Audrey Park, currently studies at the Juilliard School under Mr. Hyo Kang, with additional instruction from Linda Rose, Almita Vamos, and Cho-Liang Lin. Park was chosen as a student artist for the prestigious 2019 Starling-DeLay Symposium at The Juilliard School and was selected to participate in NPR's nationally syndicated program From the Top. She was also recognized as a 2019 and 2020 National YoungArts Winner. Recently, she was the grand prize winner of the Bellagrande International Music Competition. Audrey has made appearances as a soloist with numerous orchestras including the LA Virtuosi Orchestra, Curtis Y.A.S.P. Orchestra, Peninsula Symphony, among many others. She has performed in prestigious venues throughout the United States and Europe. Audrey was selected to play in masterclasses for Ray Chen, Glenn Dicterow, and Cho-Liang Lin.
2020
Minji Lee
Minji Lee, a versatile musician from South Korea, began learning a piano at 5 before picking up a violin, which spurred her lifelong love of music. She began playing the violin at 6 and made her debut with Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra as a soloist when she was 10. She has won numerous competitions including Second Prize at Bales Violin Competition and Third Prize at Ilona Fehér International Violin Competition in Budapest, Hungary. She has played in masterclasses for Shlomo Mintz, Mimi Zweig, and Aaron Rosand, and she also has participated in music festivals including Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, Summit Music Festival, and Bowdoin International Music Festival. Minji recently spent her summer at Heifetz institute of music as a member of Ashkenasi/Kirshbaum Chamber Music Seminar. Lee is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree with Soovin Kim at New England Conservatory.
Julia Su
Julia Su, 19, began her violin studies at age four. She has since made solo appearances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Dekalb Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Wheeler High School Orchestra. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the first prize winner of the 2019 John H. Head Atlanta Music Club Scholarship Competition, MTNA 2016 Senior Strings Winner and 2018 Honorable Mention, and Audience Choice Award in the 2017 Rising Stars Competition, as well as the winner of several other concerto competitions. She also served as the concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra for the 2017-2019 seasons.
