The "Back to BACH" Project
Students for the Arts!
Edward Jung
Member and R.D. Since Fall 2019
Edward Jung, age 17, is currently a senior at Leland High School in San Jose, California. He has been studying violin for 10 years, currently under the tutelage of Mr. Byung W. Kim. Hehas won prizes in many competitions, including the Silicon Valley Youth Symphony Music competition, and the Junior Bach Festival. He received the Gold Medal from the CMEA State Solo and Ensemble festival. As a member of the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO) for the past 8 years, Edward won CPYO’s solo competition twice, performing Bruch Violin Concerto and Brahms Violin Concerto. He has had theopportunity to participate in masterclasses with Ning Feng, Melvin Chen, and Kelly Hall-Tompkins.
Edward has participated in National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2)for the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons, serving as second violin principal, assistant concertmaster, concertmaster. He has performed alongside Esperanza Spalding, Gil Shaham, Gabriela Montero at Carnegie Hall, the Verizon Hall, and the New World Center. Apart from competing, Edward enjoys to interact with and serve people through music. Edward has been performing at senior centers for the past 9 years now. He also works with senior citizens, helping them to help senior citizens with their computer skills. In his free time, Edward also enjoys playing and competing in USTA tennis tournaments. As Wilson sponsor, Edward is a state and national tennis player. Edward joined the Back to Bach project in 2019, assuming the responsibilities as regional director.
Catherine Choi
Member Since Fall 2019
Cellist Catherine Choi, 17, is a senior at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, CA. Catherine started the cello at age 8 and is currently studying with Jonathan Koh. Catherine is an avid chamber musician and is currently the cellist in the Irida Piano Quartet, which has been formed under the Young Chamber Musicians program. As a soloist, Catherine has won multiple awards, including first place in the Junior Bach Festival, U.S. Open Music Competition, United States International Music Competition, Music Teachers’ Association of California SF Branch VOCE Competition, Korea Times Youth Music Competition, and KAMSA Competition. She has also been a prizewinner in competitions including Music Teachers’ National Association Competition (MTNA), New York International Arts Association, Music Teachers’ Association of California VOCE Competition and finalist of the 2017 Mondavi Center National Young Artists Competition. Catherine has had the great privilege of performing in masterclasses with Anthony D. Elliott, Brinton Averil Smith, Angela Lee from the Lee Trio, Juilliard String Quartet, and Music@Menlo Festival Faculty. During the summer, Catherine enjoys learning more about music through participating in music festivals such as Montecito International Music Festival under Richard Naill, Meadowmount School of Music under Jonathan Koh, Center Stage Strings at the University of Michigan under Horacio Contreras and Anthony Elliot, Aspen Music Festival under Richard Aaron and 2019 Music@Menlo festival. Catherine also shares her passion for music by volunteering at AMASE, an organization that provides enriching education in music and arts for individuals with special needs.
Eunseo Oh
Member Since Winter 2019
Violinist Eunseo Oh, 15 is a freshman at Lynbrook High School. She has been playing the violin since she was eight years old. She was a first place winner at Pacific Musical Society’s 2018 Competition and a grand prizewinner of the 2016 Korean Times Annual Youth Music Competition. She has participated in many performances and concerts, including annual Junior Bach Festivals. Eunseo has performed in master classes for acclaimed artists such as Simon James, Danielle Belen, and William van der Sloot. She is a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, and is also a part of Young Chamber Musicians. She studies with Ian Swensen at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Elena Chen
Member Since Winter 2019