September 18, 2013 (Jackson) - Sylvia Hong, Artist-in-Residence and Assistant Professor of Music, will showcase her artistry on the piano at the Belhaven University Concert Hall on September 24 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will include works by renowned American composers and more. Hong’s equally talented husband, Dr. Michael Rector, will be accompanying her on the piano for part of the performance. Admission is free and the doors will open at 7:00 p.m.
Hong is known to audiences, worldwide, as a pianist of imagination and virtuosity. She has performed as a soloist in Italy, Korea, England, and her native United States, in such venues as New York’s Steinway Hall, the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre.
As a concerto soloist, Hong has played with the symphony orchestras of Mokpo and Suwon in Korea, and with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic and Mt. Vernon Symphony Orchestra under conductors Jin Yun Il, Kim Daejin and Ulysses James. She made her debut at the age of 16 as the 1st prize-winner of the National Russian Competition. Hong’s three commercial recordings, all compilations of live performances, were produced by the Far East Broadcasting Corporation.
In 2012, Hong formed Duo Affannato with her husband, pianist Michael Rector. They have performed throughout the United States and in Korea. Highlights of their first two seasons together include an appearance at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, two sold-out concerts on the same day in Busan, Korea, and a concerto performance in Chattanooga TN with conductor Jooyong Ahn. In April 2013 Hong and Michael won 2nd prize and the Abild prize for the best performance of American music at the Ellis Duo Piano Competition, sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs.
This is just one of the many exciting events from Belhaven’s School of the Arts. Check out Arts Ablaze for plays, dance and music concerts, poetry readings, gallery exhibits and more happening this year.