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VIOLIN

ELLEN MCSWEENEY

 

 

 

 

The Marsha A. Cote & Richard M. Hetzer Chair

 

Ellen McSweeney is a Chicago-based violinist, writer and songwriter. She is a founding member of the string trio Chicago Q Ensemble, a co-founder of Parlour Tapes+, and the Chicago regional editor for NewMusicBox.org.  

 

A dynamic interpreter of contemporary music, Ellen has given countless world premieres with Chicago Q Ensemble and has played with Ensemble Dal Niente, Fonema Consort, Access Contemporary Music, Singers on New Ground, Homeroom Chicago, and the Four Score Festival of New Music. As an improviser, she has performed on the Links Hall 

VIOLA

Youming Chen

The Sikorovsky Family Chair

Taiwanese born violist Youming Chen was appointed by Music Director Riccardo Muti to join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in its 125th season.  He formerly served as Associate Principal Viola of the Kansas City Symphony, and was a member of the Grant Park Music Festival. He has previously participated in Pacific Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Prussia Cove, and Music@Menlo. His principal teachers include Paul Neubauer, Hsin-Yun Huang, Yizhak Schotten, Victoria Chiang, and Alan de Veritch.  In Taiwan, he was trained by Jia-Rong Lin, Ben Lin, and Huey-Lan Yang.  He received his Bachelor of Music from University of Michigan, Master of Music from Juilliard School, and Doctor of Musical Arts from University of Missouri-Kansas City.
 

    “Playing chamber music is like having a conversation of affirmations and disputes with a few likeminded comrades at the same time. From lugubrious to joy, intimate to triumph, introvert to extrovert, the journey takes both anticipated turns and surprising ones. I cherish these moments with ICA every time.”

Youming Chen, viola

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