Kiarra Saito-Beckman, Violin
Where do you call home?
Cleveland, OH.
What would being named the winner of the Golden Violin Award enable you to do?
Being the winner of the Golden Violin Award would give me the opportunity to pursue various musical projects which have been of interest to me; namely, continuing my recording project focusing on lesser-known female composers and sharing that music in concerts around the Montreal community.
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Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?
I have the great privilege of studying with Professor Jinjoo Cho, who has completely changed how I interpret music and taught me how to express myself through music in an authentic way. She is such an inspiring mentor as well as an exceptionally kind human being. My collaborative pianist will be Felix Hong, who is a terrific pianist and friend.
Do you have a favourite part of your program?
That is a tough question, I have to say that I do not have a particular favorite. The pieces are all so different and pose a variety of challenges musically and physically, and I love them all!
What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made?
I feel like I am finally learning how to sustain a musical line! Sounds simple, but it’s something that’s been difficult for me to do fully.
This has undoubtedly been a challenging year. How has music helped you find connection?
Music has been been the most consistent thing for me in the past year. Playing the violin throughout this time has grounded me and given me a source of gratitude each and every day.
When you’re not in preparation and practice mode, how do you disconnect?
I got a puppy last fall, and I’ve been lucky to spend most of my free time with him. Other than that, I love movies, reading, and running.
Biography
Vietnamese-American violinist Kiarra Saito-Beckman is currently pursuing her Master of Music degree at McGill University under the tutelage of Jinjoo Cho. She has performed extensively in the United States and abroad. Kiarra has appeared as a guest soloist with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Arlington, Garland Symphony, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra, and an orchestra composed of members of the Oregon Symphony and the Oregon Ballet Theater Orchestra. She has participated in numerous competitions, most notably as a quarterfinalist in the 2019 Sendai International Music Competition, a prizewinner in the 2017 Cooper International Violin Competition, and a semifinalist in the 2016 Stulberg International String Competition. Previously, she earned her Bachelor of Music at the Cleveland Institute of Music studying with Jaime Laredo and Jan Mark Sloman. In her free time, Kiarra enjoys reading, running, and playing with her dog Huxley.
Wei-An Hung, Cello
Where do you call home?
Taiwan.
What would being named the winner of the Golden Violin Award enable you to do?
I will be able to pay the tuition for DMA.
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Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?
My teacher is Matt Haimovitz, and my pianist is Felix Hong.
Do you have a favorite part of your program?
I like all the pieces that I prepare for the competition. To be specific, I really like Poulenc cello sonata because it is very fun to play and lovely to listen to.
What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made? (Composer, piece, approach, perspective, minutia, fun fact — anything!)
I found out that Elliott Carter was a student of Nadia Boulanger. Both composers are on the program for the competition.
This has undoubtedly been a challenging year. How has music helped you find connection?
Since the start of the pandemic, I went back home for a year and recently returned to the school in April. We are very lucky that concerts and other public events were still happening in Taiwan over the past year. I was able to make music and perform with my friends and colleagues in concert halls.
When you’re not in preparation and practice mode, how do you disconnect?
I like baking, cooking, and spending time with my family and my friends.
Biography
Wei-An Hung is a cellist from Changhua, Taiwan. At age of fifteen, she traveled alone to Idyllwild Arts Academy, a boarding high school in California, where she studied cello with John Waltz. Later, she attended Cleveland Institute of Music to pursue both a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree under the guidance of Sharon Robinson. Wei-An is currently an artist diploma student of Matt Haimovitz. As a passionate chamber player, she has attended music festivals, such as Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Kneisel Hall, Kent Blossom Chamber Music Festival, and New York String Seminar. Besides playing the cello, Wei-An enjoys cooking and baking. Wei-An uses a fine modern cello and a bow from the generosity of the Maestro Foundation.
Yan Li, Violin
Where do you call home?
Calgary, Alberta — close to the Rocky Mountains!
What would being named the winner of the Golden Violin Award enable you to do?
It is a great honor to perform in the competition. I entered this competition to share my artistry with the wider McGill community and I hope that winning the competition will enable me to share my love for music with larger audiences. I’ve looked up to many of the past winners. I love learning about their journeys and I look for parallels between our odysseys as artists.
Additionally, I am very grateful for the life-changing opportunity to study at McGill for the last four years and winning the Golden Violin Award would be a wonderful conclusion. It will serve as a launchpad for future competitions and performances. It would offer recognition and continue to motivate my never-ending strive to be my best self on stage.
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Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?
I study with Axel Strauss, who has been an extremely supportive mentor throughout my time at McGill. He has always inspired me with his imaginative playing and introspective words.
I will be sharing the stage with Felix Hong, an attentive collaborator and dedicated musician with a great sense of humor.
Do you have a favorite part of your program?
I love the juxtaposition of my pieces. My program time travels from the Classical era to disparate worlds of modern-day America.
What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made?
I recently discovered Ian Swensen’s chamber music masterclass on the Brahms Sextet. I find it so inspiring! His eccentric energy and passion for music are infectious.
This has undoubtedly been a challenging year. How has music helped you find connection?
Music is about expressing not just beauty but also humanity. Music has the power to educate and bring us together. As humanity evolves, we learn that music has no boundaries. It is an art form that incorporates vitality and culture in ways no scientist could explain. As we continue to appreciate how our diverse community shapes our artistic voices, I want to be an active part of my art form’s revolution. Back on stage as an avid performer, my goal is to portray something one would not otherwise feel. I want to create a dialogue with the audience and pass the energy back and forth with any repertoire I play.
When you’re not in preparation and practice mode, how do you disconnect?
In Montréal, I like to stay caffeinated with friends. Otherwise, I can most likely be found writing sticky notes for German class or running to a bakery. Back at home, I enjoy camping and hiking in the Rockies.
Biography
Violinist Yan Li is currently studying at McGill University Schulich School of Music with Axel Strauss. As a soloist, she made her orchestral debut with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Calgary Civic Symphony, Calgary Youth Orchestra, and Lethbridge Symphony. Her awards include first prize at the Canadian Music Competition, LSO Young Artist Competition, Calgary Concerto Competition, and a semifinalist in the Montreal Symphony Manulife Competition, At McGill, she was a finalist in the Concerto Competition and Orchestra Toronto Concerto Competition. She has also appeared in masterclasses for Pinchas Zukerman, Elmar Oliveira, Ani Kavafian, James Ehnes, and Andrés Cárdenes. During her summers, she has been a fellow at the NAC Young Artist Program, Meadowmount School of Music and Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival. In the Fall, she will be pursuing a M.M degree at the Yale School of Music.
