​Artists 2024

Kim was born in Seoul, Korea. She studied violin performance at Yewon Arts school and Seoul Arts high school. Kim moved to the United States to study at the New England Conservatory of Music with James Buswell and Nicholas Kitchen. After graduating with a bachelor degree in violin performance, she moved to Maryland and continued her studies with David Salness at University of Maryland School of Music. Kim has performed as a soloist with orchestras such as Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra and Seoul Symphony Orchestra. She also performed with John Gibbons in his baroque music recital at New England Conservatory.

A native from Colombia, Violinist Daniel Torres is an eclectic performer and composer interested in cultural projects with social impact. As a performer he has won several international competitions, holding the 1st Prize in the “Bogota is Mozart” chamber music category as soloist and concertmaster and  2nd Prize in the International Music Competition “Citta di Barletta” in the chamber music category in 2021 to name a few. As a versatile violinist, Daniel has explored chamber music with different ensembles and repertoires which include performances with his piano trio in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro premiering some of his own compositions. Moreover, Daniel’s interest in chamber music led  him to participate in multiple festivals in the US and abroad including Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Campos de Jordão Music Festival, FEMUSC to name a few. Daniel holds a B.M  in violin performance and composition in Bogota, Colombia at FUNJC. Likewise, he obtained a M.M at LSU. He has had private classes with Leon Spirer (Former Berlin Phil), Arnold Steinberger (Vienna Phil) and Simone Bernardini (Berlin Phil).

Violinist Edwin Alejandro Barreno Castillo, born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He has studied in Guatemala at “Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala”, at University of Costa Rica and in “Escuela de música Vida y movimiento, Ollin Yoliztli” in Mexico City. Currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at Catholic University ofAmerica, under the tutelage of Professor Oleg Rylatko, concertmaster of the Washington National Opera. In the period instrument performance field, Edwin has performed with the “consorcio barroco de Guatemala”(baroque orchestra of Guatemala ) and with the Academia de música antigua de la universidad autónoma de México “AMAUNAM”. He has appeared in orchestras in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile and the United States. he has been second violin Principal at Orchestra Eduardo Mata “OJUEM” and concertmaster of orchestra Filarmonica mexiquense “OFM” and Catholic university of America Symphony.

Cong Dong, born in China, is pursuing a Doctor Music of Arts (DMA) degree in Piano Performance at the Catholic University of America with Pianist Dr.Kaltchev. He finished his bachelor’s degree at Shenyang Conservatory of Music with Professor Zhang Fang. Then, his master’s degree graduated from Mannes School of Music with Yuri Kim. During the period, he was invited to perform in “Prelude and Rhapsodies” at Mannes Sound Festival. Besides, He got the first prize in the Elite International Piano Competition in 2020, and he was invited to perform at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. In 2021, he won First prize in both the Group of Beethoven and the Young Artists Group for the Preliminary Round in the New York Manhanville Piano Competition, and he also got third place in the Group of Beethoven in the Final Round. The same year, He got first prize in the adult piano group in the Art & More International Music Competition.

Long Island Native Emily Doveala started formal cello training at Mannes Prep, studying with Dorothy Lawson of the ETHEL Quartet. She received a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance at Ithaca College and holds a Master’s Degree in Cello Performance from Stony Brook University, where she studied with British cellist Colin Carr. In 2019, Emily began her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Maryland, studying with Dr. Eric Kutz. She joined the 2019 tour of cutting-edge chamber music group Cordis, playing five-string electric cello. She was an undergraduate chamber music coach at Stony Brook University and teaches and coaches undergraduates at the University of Maryland.

Fengyi Wang, collaborative pianist, was admitted to the piano performance major of the School of Arts, Renmin University of China at the age of 17. Studied under Professor Fang Zhang, the Leader of the Music Department. Now she is studying in the Juilliard School for a master's degree in collaborative piano. Under the guidance of Dr. Lydia Brown, the Chair of Collaborative Piano Department. In 2021, she won the First Prize in the Foreign Works Group of the Beijing division of the 23rd "Santa Cecilia" International Piano Competition. In the same year, she won the First Prize in the String Chamber Music Group and the First Prize in the Art Song Group of the 6th Hummingbird Music Awards China Youth Music Competition. She also won the First Prize in the Piano Group of the 2021 SIPC Singapore International Piano Competition, the First Prize in the Chamber Music Group of the Vivaldi International Music Competition in 2023.

Zhou is a dynamic classical pianist with a great passion for captivating audiences through his performances across Asia, Europe, and North America. Zhou’s versatile repertoire has graced the stages of prestigious venues such as Merkin Halls in New York City, The Forbes Center of the Performing Arts, Bradshaw Hall in England, Hongkong Cultural Center, Shenzhen Concert Hall, and many others. Recently, Zhou was honored as the Third-Prize Winner at the 2024 New York International Artists Piano Competition, and the Winner of the Luciana Montanari-Mendola Award from the Italian Cultural Society, further recognizing his musical artistry. He is now serving as the Minister of Music at the Episcopal Church of Ascension in Gaithersburg, MD. Zhou is a doctorate candidate in piano performance at The Catholic University of America studying with Dr. Ivo Kaltchev.

Xiangning Ouyang, soprano, was admitted to the Department of vocal and opera of the Central Conservatory of Music at the age of 17. She studied under Professor Xie Tian, the leader of the Department of vocal and opera of the Central Conservatory of Music, and Professor Li Guoling. The Paris Opera signed soprano Yuan Chenxing. At the age of 20, she made her debut at the International Vocal Competition in Chuncheon, Korea, where she placed seventh.In 2022, she was Honorable mention for the Vocal Group of the Long Island International Music Competition in New York, USA. On March 28, 2023, she was the only Asian singer selected to the final eight list of the Stockholm Opera Academy in Sweden. She is now studying for her master's degree at the New England Conservatory of Music, under the guidance of mezzo-soprano MaryAnn McCormick. She would be performing Mìmì of ‘La Bohème’ in August 2024, with conductor George Pehlivanian and the Slovenian Festival Symphony.

Hang Yin is a classical guitarist and educator originally from China. Over the past years, he has performed at major venues, including Spivey Hall, the Coca- Cola Space Science Center, and Auburn University. In 2020, he contributed his guitar skills at Rose Hill Church, and upon returning to China in 2021, he successfully held two solo concerts. In 2022 and 2023, Hang successfully performed his doctoral recitals at Goodson Chapel Hall. As an educator, Hang taught at Wuhan Optics Valley International Foreign Languages School during his undergraduate studies. Currently, he is deepening his academic and professional pursuits at Shenandoah University, where he's been granted a full scholarship to study for a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance and serves as a Teaching Assistant for classical guitar. Hang received his Master of Music degree from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in 2021, following a Bachelor of Music degree from the Wuhan Conservatory of Music in 2018. Throughout his musical journey, Hang has had the privilege of studying under esteemed music educators, including Lorenzo Micheli, Marco Tamayo, Andrew Zohn, Julian Gray, and Colin Davin.

Born in Sichuan, China, Jiachen Li's musical journey began at age seven. He studied piano at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music under Prof. Wang Mai, and earned his Bachelor's degree in 2017. Jiachen continued his education in the U.S., completing a music performance certificate at Bowling Green State University and a Master of Music at Cleveland State University, where he received a full scholarship and the Joan Terri Ronis Award. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Alabama with Dr. Kevin Chance, Jiachen also serves as a full-time graduate assistant collaborating with musical theater studios and the University of Alabama Opera House. A dedicated piano teacher and MTNA member, Jiachen has instructed over 50 students and was a co-presenter at the 2024 MTNA national conference. His accolades include winning the 2024 Alabama Music Teachers Association Competition and placing third in the 2021 MASNO New Orleans Piano Institute Virtuoso International Competition.

Praised as "captivating" (Stroll Magazine) and “an extremely gifted and promising young artist” (New York Concert Review), Chinese pianist Junwen Liang, embarked on his piano journey at the age of nine and made his solo debut at thirteen. Throughout his career, he has been featured as a soloist with Central Texas Philharmonic, Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra, and Ithaca College Symphonic Orchestra. Further accomplishments also include performing at esteemed venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kimmel Center, as well as being broadcast on WSKG in New York and Philadelphia's WRTI Classical Radio. In the upcoming 2023-2024 season, Junwen is poised to captivate audiences with live performances across the United States, Italy, and China. He has also garnered invitations to participate in major festivals such as the Texas State International Piano Festival, Lunigiana International Music Festival, Philadelphia Young Pianists’ Academy, Orford Musique, Art of the Piano, and Aspen Music Festival. Junwen has achieved notable success, securing major prizes in multiple competitions, including the YMIC International Music Competition, The American Prize, Juliusz Zarębski International Piano Competition, New York International Piano Competition, and Philadelphia International Piano Competition. In addition to his performances, Junwen imparts his expertise through private teaching, collaborations with professional musicians in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City, and adjudicating state-level competitions in the D.C. area. Junwen holds degrees from Penn State (DMA), Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (MM), and Ithaca College (BM). He is completing a professional diploma at the Peabody Institute, under the tutelage of Richard Goode.

Xinyi Wang is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at The Catholic University of America under the guidance of Dr. Ivo Kaltchev. Originally from Shandong, she holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees from Shandong Normal University and is a member of the Weifang Musicians Association and the Shandong Musicians Association Piano Professional Committee. Xinyi has over ten years of piano teaching experience and was appointed a Hemiola signed Artist in 2024.In recent years, Xinyi has focused on refining her technique and artistry. She has won awards such as First Prize in the 2019 Yamaha Asia Piano Competition and Second prize of Shandong Piano Competition. She has held numerous solo recitals and will make her debut in the 2024 Washington International Young Artists Music Season, In addition to her performance achievements, Xinyi has published research on Chopin, Beethoven, and Liszt, and serves as the associate editor of Practical Piano Tutorial. Her commitment to individualized teaching has helped many of her students achieve success in national and provincial competitions

A native of Taiwan, Yun Kang is currently pursuing her DMA degree in Violin Performance at  the Catholic University of America under the guidance of Professor Oleg Rylatko. In 2022, she  received first prize in the concerto competition at the Rome School of Music.  

As a versatile musician, Ms. Kang has appeared as a solo violinist, chamber musician, and  section violinist in orchestras across the United States, including Washington D.C., Virginia,  Maryland, New York City, and Connecticut, as well as in Taiwan.  

Ms. Kang has served as concertmaster of the Catholic University of America Orchestra and held  key positions such as concertmaster, second violin principal, and associate concertmaster with  NoI+F during the 2023-2024 seasons in Maryland, Orpheus@Mannes in New York, and with  Seiji Ozawa Ongaku Juku and Saito Kinen Festival in Japan.  

In addition to her performance career, Ms. Kang is also dedicated to studying orchestral  conducting under the tutelage of Maestro Simeone Tartaglione and Maestro Murry Sidlin

Ria Yang enjoys various solo and chamber performances. Her recent engagements include chamber music recitals at the Collaborative Piano Institute, Aspen Music Festival and School, Zodiac Music Festival, Icicle Chamber Music Festival, and virtual concerts for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and "Music for Autism." In 2015, she won the Concert Competition at Northern Illinois University School of Music. She has also served as an Artist-in-Residence at Collington Continuing Care Retirement Community, where she was featured on NBC's Today Show in 2019. Passionate about teaching, she has taught at Northern Illinois University Community School of Arts and Viva! Performing Art Studio. Currently, she teaches at the International School of Music. Ria is pursuing studies in Collaborative Piano with Prof. Rita Sloan at the University of Maryland.