Soyoung Cho takes up the role of associate principal viola, while Bianna Bell and Jeongmin An join as the first violin section
The Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) has announced the appointment of three new string players, following its recent promotion of Ben Ullery to principal viola. Korean violist Soyoung Cho joins as associate principal viola, while US violinist Bianna Bell and Korean violinist Jeongmin An join the first violin section. Additionally, clarinettist Andrea Caputo has been appointed as associate principal clarinet.
Cho is a graduate of the Korea National Institute for the Gifted Arts, Korea National University, and at the Curtis Institute of Music with teachers including Roberto Díaz, Hsin-Yun Huang, Edward Gazouleas and Misha Amory. She has performed as principal viola of both the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and the Korea National University of Arts Orchestra.
Among her accomplishments, Cho has won prizes at the 2015 Johansen International Competition for Young String Players and the 2011 Osaka International Music Competition, and has attended festivals including the Verbier Academy, Heifetz Institute, Morningside Music Bridge, and the Toronto Summer Music Festival.
At age 20, Bell is reportedly the youngest member of the LA Phil. She is currently in her third year at the Colburn Conservatory of Music and is an alumna of the Special Music School, Lucy Moses School, and the Kaufman Music Center. Her teachers include Viktor Basis and Nurit Pacht.
An has studied at the Yewon School, Seoul Arts High School, the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts, Korea National University of Arts, and most recently at the Yale School of Music with Tai Murray. She has been a prizewinner at the Shinhan Music Awards and the JoongAng Music Concours.
The orchestra celebrated the news on social media:
‘A very warm welcome to four new members of the LA Phil, who join us this month… A hearty congratulations to all!’
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