Experience three extraordinary days of piano prowess on display. The 2026 @honens Festival takes over Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, this September. 🎹
Each evening includes a pre-concert chat at 6:00 pm followed by the show at 7:00 pm.
Here’s what to check out:
🎹 September 10 — Dialogues with the Piano: Winston Choi, Jon Kimura Parker (@jonkimuraparker ), and Carter Johnson (@carter_m_johnson ) share the stage with their own past selves using Steinway Spirio player piano technology.
🎹 September 11 — Reverberations: Chopin Reframed: 2025 Honens Gold Laureate Élisabeth Pion (@elisabeth.pion ) brings a bold reimagining of Chopin's Études Op. 25.
🐘 September 12 at 10:30 am — Storytellers: Babar the Elephant: A family-friendly morning concert bringing Babar to life through music and storytelling.
🎹 September 12 — Echoes in Motion: A journey across centuries of dance forms with Winston Choi, Carter Johnson, Jon Kimura Parker, and MingHuan Xu (@allthings.strings ).
🔗 Get your tickets at the link in our bio.
#NationalMusicCentre #StudioBell #Honens #HonensFestival #ClassicalMusic #YYCEvents #PianoMusic
Recently, Phil Setzer from the internationally acclaimed Emerson String Quartet, Professor of Violin at Stony Brook University and Artistic Director at Cleveland Institute of Music lead Upper Strings @chicagocollegeofperformingarts for the CCPA’s weekly Friday Performance Class
Joined with Mr. Brandon Vamos leading Lower Strings Class
Brandon Vamos is Professor of Cello at Indiana University, a member of the acclaimed Pacifica String Quartet, and son of legendary King Roland and Queen Almita Vamos
Great Job Performers
Please Enjoy these Pictures!
A highlight of the spring season for me was performing the Red Violin Chaconne with the Lakeview Orchestra. It was truly a pleasure and honor to work with Maestro Michael Lewanski and these wonderful musicians. The orchestra was so warm and welcoming, and I am very grateful for this opportunity and the beautiful experience on stage. @lakevieworch@ccpastrings@chicagocollegeofperformingarts #redviolin #violinconcerto #classicalmusic #violinist
An inspiring afternoon of music and community at Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church. Our talented students brought to life Behind the Wallpaper by Alex Temple, a powerful and imaginative work. @ccpastrings@chicagocollegeofperformingarts@rooseveltu #chambermusic #chicagomusicians #proudteacher #musicconservatory
Congratulations to Leo Ma for winning the 2026 Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Concerto Competition for the Philharmonic Orchestra! Leo Ma @leo.ma.12 is a 13-year-old violinist from Chicago, currently studying with Professor Minghuan Xu @allthings.strings at New Music School.
He began playing at age six at DePaul Community Music School and has been a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) since age nine, now proudly serving as Concertmaster of the Philharmonic Orchestra. Leo previously studied with Hannah Barton, Davis King and Hui Jin.
Leo recently won 1st Prize at the 2026 Berlin Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition (performing at the Berlin Philharmonic) and 1st Prize in the CYSO Concert Orchestra Competition, debuting as soloist at Gannon Concert Hall. He has also earned top awards at the IMA, London Young Musician (Under 15), and Canadian International Music Competitions. Leo performs with natural musical instincts, a warm tone, and a poised, confident presence on stage.
Beyond the violin, Leo studies piano and is a passionate athlete — competing on the Chicago School of Golf travel team while loving sailing and alpine skiing. He brings the same curiosity, discipline, and joy to everything he does.
#Violinist #ClassicalMusic #YoungMusician #CYSO #newmusicschool
Huge congratulations to Carlos Chacon on being named a String Fellow at the Grant Park Music Festival! This is a tremendous achievement and such a well-deserved recognition of his artistry, dedication, and growth.
Originally from Venezuela, Carlos is a senior at Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, studying with Mrs. Vamos and myself, and we could not be more proud of all he has accomplished.
Bravo, Carlos. 🎻✨ @ccpastrings@chicagocollegeofperformingarts@rooseveltu@grantparkmusicfestival@williamharrislee #proudteacher #competitionwinner #orchestra #orchestraauditions #chicagomusicians
Chicago College of Performing Arts alum Pedro Mendez (BM Viola Performance ’24) has just won a spot in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s viola section! The entire Roosevelt University community could not be more proud of him and we are incredibly excited for this next amazing step in his artistic journey. Pedro studied with Almita and Roland Vamos and Li-Kuo Chang while here at CCPA.
Pedro had been serving as the 2024/25 Season DSO Diversity Fellow. Prior to this, he played with several other Chicago area orchestras including the Civic Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Philharmonic, Illinois Philharmonic, and Chicago Sinfonietta.
Pedro is a Venezuelan violist and violinist who began his musical studies in EL SISTEMA. He obtained a minor degree in Violin Performance from the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory in 2015 and concurrently studied at Academia Latinoamericana de Violín under the guidance of Luis Miguel Gonzalez and José Francisco del Castillo (student of Ivan Galamian). During his time in Venezuela, Mendez focused on teaching. He worked as an Assistant Professor of violin and viola at Universidad Lisandro Alvarado and served as a professor at Academia Latinoamerica de Violín. Eventually, he became the principal director of this academy with sede in his hometown and joined the faculty of the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory as a violin teacher.
As a soloist, he has performed with the Pedro Leon Torres Symphony Orchestra, the Lara Symphony Orchestra, and the Young Lara Symphony Orchestra.
Pedro shared on Facebook, “After many attempts, setbacks, and lessons along the way, I’m incredibly grateful to share that I’ve won a position with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra...To my teachers, my friends, and everyone who believed in me, prayed for me, and sent me good energy — thank you. There are so many people behind this moment, and that’s the most beautiful part of it all. Excited for this new chapter.”
Pedro, you are living out the Roosevelt University vision by having been and continuing to be a leader in your profession and in your community. Congratulations on this momentous achievement!
A heartfelt congratulations to my student, Leo Ma, for winning the CYSO Concerto Competition. This is a big accomplishment for Leo. We are so proud of him. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼New Music School Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras @newmusicschool@chiyso #concertocompetition #youngviolinist #concertocompetitionwinner #proudteacher
A recent masterclass at Northern Illinois University. It such a rewarding day working with these wonderful students.
Thank you, Marie Wang and Blaise Magniere for the invitation and warm hospitality. Grateful for the amazing opportunity! 🎶🎻🎶 @ccpastrings@chicagocollegeofperformingarts@rooseveltu@northern_illinois_university #masterclass #chambermusic #violinmasterclass #musicconservatory
