Joonghun Cho (Piano)

Praised by El Comercio as a "pianist with a masterful display of artistry, affirming his well-deserved reputation," Joonghun Cho is a dedicated performing artist known for his versatility as a pianist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. He has concertized widely giving performances across South Korea, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Slovakia, the UK, Japan, the United States and Canada. His performances have included solo appearances with renowned orchestras, such as the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra, Kalamazoo Philharmonia, and Brescia Master Orchestra. His musical prowess has also led to invitations as a guest artist at esteemed music festivals such as the Gijón International Piano Festival, Porto Pianofest, Palmetto International Piano Festival, Yeon-Eum Summer Music Festival, Festival Internacional de Música José Luis Vega "Pelis," and American Liszt Society Festival.

Joonghun's passion for collaborative music extends to his flourishing career as a chamber musician. He has had the privilege of showcasing his chamber music performances at numerous renowned institutions and festivals, such as the Eastman School of Music, University of Michigan, University of Toronto, Royal Conservatory of Music, St. Olaf College, West End Micro Music Festival, International Cello Institute and Caledon Music Festival with many distinguished artists. Notably, he recently participated in a recording project featuring new compositions by William Horne, which was released by Blue Griffin Recording Label in 2024.

In addition to his performing career, Joonghun has garnered numerous prizes in international competitions. His achievements include the gold medal in the Vienna International Music Competition, first prize in the Master Orchestra International Concerto Competition, second prize in the William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition, first prize in the International Chopin Piano Competition in Japan, second prize in the Schimmel USASU International Piano Competition, and third prize in the Glasgow International Piano Competition for Young Pianists.

Born in Suwon, South Korea, Joonghun commenced his musical journey at the Yewon School and Seoul Art High School in Seoul, studying under the guidance of Min Sook Jeon, Tong-il Han, and Hyoung-Joon Chang. Upon relocating to the United States, he pursued his Bachelor of Music in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Barry Snyder. Joonghun continued his musical education at the University of Michigan under the mentorship of Logan Skelton, completing both his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts.

Currently based in Toronto, Canada, Joonghun serves as the artistic director for Classical Concert Series at the Gibson Centre, where he continues to inspire audiences with his musical expertise.

Joseph Johnson (cello)

Joseph Johnson has been heard throughout the world as a soloist, chamber musician and educator. His festival appearances include performances in all classical genres at the American festivals of Santa Fe, Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, Bard, Cactus Pear, Grand Teton, and Music in the Vineyards as well as the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan, and the Virtuosi Festival in Brazil.

Highlights of Joseph Johnson's 2023/2024 season include concerto performances of the Brahms Double Concerto with Symphony Nova Scotia, CPE Bach Concerto in a minor at U of T, Strauss Don Quixote with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Beethoven Triple Concerto with Jonathan Crow and Jan Lisiecki with the Toronto Symphony. Recent recital and chamber music appearances include performances at the Faculty of Music Walter Hall series at the University of Toronto, the Chatter series in Albuquerque, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, as well as the Shostakovich Cello Concerto with the Niagara Symphony.

A champion of new Music, Joseph has played the Canadian Premiere of the Unsuk Chin Cello Concerto with the Esprit Orchestra, Canadian Premiere of the Miguel del Aguila Cello Concerto with the Toronto Symphony and Edmonton Symphony, North American Premiere of the Peter Oetvos Cello Concerto with the Toronto Symphony, and the Marc-Andre Dalbavie Cello Concerto with the Esprit Orchestra.

Principal cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since the 2009/2010 season, Mr. Johnson previously held the same position with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as Principal Cellist of the Santa Fe Opera, and during the 2008-2009 season, was acting Principal Cellist of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Johnson has also performed as guest Principal Cellist with the San Francisco Symphony, Detroit Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Trondheim Symphony. Prior to his Milwaukee appointment, Joseph Johnson was a member of The Minnesota Orchestra cello section for eleven years. He was a founding member of both the Prospect Park Players and the Minneapolis Quartet, the latter of which was honoured with The McKnight Foundation Award in 2005.

A gifted and inspiring teacher, Mr. Johnson is the newly appointed Associate Professor of Cello at the Eastman School of Music. He previously held the position of Associate Professor of Cello at the University of Toronto. Mr. Johnson was the cello coach for the Toronto Youth Symphony for ten years, and is a regular coach and teacher at the New World Symphony in Miami. He has conducted numerous master classes for a wide range of institutions and ensembles, including The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, Eastman School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Northwestern University, the youth orchestras of the Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, Madison, and Toronto symphonies, as well as The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Joseph Johnson earned his Master's degree from Northwestern University. Awards and honours include a performer's certificate from the Eastman School of Music and first prize from the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition.

Mr. Johnson performs on a magnificent J.B. Vuillaume cello crafted in 1840.