CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAM
The chamber music is a program for students learning to discover the true meaning of comradery, responsibility and accountability and music making in a more intimate and personal way. With the guidance of world class instructors, this program is a combination of students organizing their own rehearsals and having coaching sessions with their assigned coach leading up to their recital at the end of the semester.
Recitals will take place in assisted living homes and some public venues in McKinney and Frisco.
The chamber music program is only available for Young Artist and Symphony Orchestras only.
CHAMBER MUSIC COACHES
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STRINGS CHAMBER MUSIC COACH
Jiaxi Liu, Violin. Associate Concertmaster of the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra Jiaxi Liu was born in China, where he began to study violin at age of 6. In 2005, Jiaxi Liu was admitted to the Affiliated High school of Wuhan Conservatory of Music at age of 12. Upon studying there, he won First Prize in the “Qingyang” TV Live Competition. Jiaxi Liu also auditioned and was cast as the main role of a music student in the digital movie RUN MA XIAOCUI (2010) which is broadcasted on the national television channel CCTV-6 in China. During his undergraduate study at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Jiaxi Liu was playing section violin in Shanghai Oriental Symphony Orchestra and got invited to the national television channel CCTV-15, for a live music performance. After completing his bachelor’s degree at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 2011, Jiaxi Liu went to Louisiana State University for graduate study as a teaching assistant, where he also performed in various regional orchestras, which including Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Acandiana Symphony Orchestra, and Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. Recently, Jiaxi Liu is a doctoral candidate at the University of North Texas. Jiaxi Liu represents UNT the School of Music as the Concertmaster and the first violin in the UNT Symphony Orchestra and Bancroft Quartet since 2017. During his study at UNT, Jiaxi Liu won the UNT Concerto Competition and presented a winner concert. In 2019, Jiaxi Liu was sponsored and invited to the Aspen Music Festival and served as an orchestra member in the Aspen Festival Orchestra. Among many artists that Mr. Liu has studied and collaborated includes Charles Castleman, James Ehnes, Robert Chen, Esther Yoo, Stefan Jackiw, Darrett Adkins, Joyce Yang, Yefim Bronfman, etc. As an experienced violin teacher, in the past years, Mr. Liu was recruited as the teaching assistant at UNT. On top of that, Jiaxi Liu is also running a private string studio in Royal Music Academy in Plano, where the school currently has enrolled more than 400 students. In addition to his teaching activities, Jiaxi Liu also involved with many regional orchestra’s performance and events. For example, he recently served as the Associate Concertmaster of McKinney Philharmonic and the judge of GNYTO Concerto Competition. |
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STRINGS CHAMBER MUSIC COACH
Hsun Chen, Cello. Assistant Principal, McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra Ms. Chen was born in Taiwan and began her musical studies at the age of four and continued studying until receiving her master’s degree. Recently, she just received the Performer’s Diploma in Cello Performance from the Meadows School of the Art at Southern Methodist University, where she studied with renowned soloist Andrés Díaz. As an orchestra member in Taiwan, she has toured including Hong-Kong, Italy, and Israel. In addition, she has won several cello competitions and has been recognized for her achievements. In the past few years, Ms. Chen has appeared at the Josef Gingold Chamber Music Festival “Re-Imagined”, Round Top Festival Institute, National Orchestral Institute+ Festival, and Cremona International Music Academy in Italy. She’s passion for music has led to numerous solo and chamber music performance opportunities in masterclasses for Gary Hoffman, Thomas Landshoot, Uri Vardi, Jérôme Pinget, Paul Katz, Diotima String Quartet, Dover Quartet, Escher Quartet, and many others. Ms. Chen is Suzuki Certified Teacher in Suzuki Cello Books 1 and 2. And she is currently building a studio in Dallas, Texas. Besides teaching, she has been a piano accompanist of Dallas Philharmonic Choir since 2018. |
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BRASS CHAMBER MUSIC COACH
Dr. William Pratt. Principal Trumpet, McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra A native of Columbus, GA, Will Pratt is an active performer and instructor in the DFW area. In addition to playing principal trumpet with the McKinney Philharmonic, Will plays principal trumpet with the Sherman Symphony and second trumpet with the Abilene Philharmonic. Will has also performed with The Dallas Opera, Louisiana Philharmonic, Wichita Falls Symphony, Las Colinas Symphony, and Richardson Symphony Orchestras. Will is the Adjunct Instructor of Trumpet at Tarrant County College in Arlington, TX, and Austin College in Sherman, TX. Most recently, he served on the faculty for the inaugural North Texas Brass Week in Frisco, TX. Will maintains a large studio of middle and high school students in Frisco and Coppell Independent School Districts. His students have earned placements in the Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas all-state bands, and have been recognized as semi-finalists and quarter-finalists of the National Trumpet Competition solo divisions. Will holds a Bachelor of Music from Columbus State University, a Master of Music from Southeastern Louisiana University, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas. His hobbies include long-distance running and watching the Atlanta Braves. |