Get to know the Musicians

Violinist Yunhee Ahn has been a member of the Washington Chamber Orchestra for the past nine years. She has worked as a private violin teacher for 30 years in Boston, San Francisco, and the Washington, D.C. area, and currently teaches privately in Northern Virginia. Yunhee also volunteers as a strings teacher at the Central Music Academy in Virginia, sharing her passion for music with young students. She holds both a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied under Mr. Eric Rosenblith.

Sung Hee holds a Master of Music degree from the Royal Academy of Music in London and completed her Doctoral studies at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. She has performed on stages across Germany, England, the United States, and throughout South Korea. As a dedicated educator, she imparts her passion for music through roles as professor, associate professor, and lecturer at leading universities across South Korea, as well as faculty member at several music academies. Her commitment to nurturing future musicians extends to her work as a violin coach at Langley High School, where she continues to inspire the next generation of artists.

Matthew Evans joined The U.S. Army Strings in 2007. A native of State College, PA, he studied with James Lyon at Penn State and Christophe and Judy Bosua in Lyon, France. Matt earned a bachelor’s in violin performance from the University of Louisville, where he studied with Peter McHugh and served as concertmaster. He has won multiple concerto competitions and performed with the Williamsport, Nittany Valley, and Louisville Symphonies, as well as the U.S. Army Orchestra. Career highlights include performing for four US Presidents, performing a concerto with Mark O'Connor, and presenting the Schindler’s List theme at the U.S. Capitol. He currently serves as Stroll Leader for The U.S. Army Strolling Strings and first violinist with The Triforce Quartet.

Violinist Shinhye Kim earned her Bachelor of Music at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University and Master's from the New England Conservatory. She has performed as a member of several Chamber Orchestras in diverse places in South Korea and the United States. She has taught in Hoseo University, and BIS Canada International School. She is a member of the Yung Strings, one of the most prestigious string ensembles in the South Korean recording industry.

Violinist Adam Murphy has been praised for his sharp ear and keen sense of musicality. Adam enjoys a varied career as both a modern and period performer and arts administrator. A native of Toledo, Ohio, Adam subbed with the Toledo Symphony for a memorable performance of Bach's Mass in B Minor before diving into his collegiate studies at Oberlin Conservatory, where he had the privilege of earning his Bachelor's under the tutelage of longtime Professor Marilyn McDonald. When not performing alongside ensembles such as Handel Choir of Baltimore, Mountainside Baroque, Washington Chamber Orchestra, and Three Notch'd Road, Adam can be found running the Box Office for the Washington Bach Consort.

A native of Seoul, Korea, violinist Chae Young Yeom has earned awards as a solo violinist and chamber musician numerous times. She has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Symphony Hall, and Seoul Arts Center. She has participated in master classes with world-renowned violinists including Mikhail Kopelman and Gregory Fulkurson. Currently, she serves as a violinist and a Manager of Artistic Programs at the New Orchestra of Washington.

Aslı received her Master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is the recipient of the Chip Davis Mannheim Steamroller Orchestra Award in 2007, and was the finalist of the Coeur D’Alene Young Artist Concert Competition in 2008. She teaches violin and viola in her private studio, and performs throughout the DMV area.

Praised for his authentic sense of musical artistry and limit-pushing technical proficiency, Brian Shoop holds degrees in viola performance from Oberlin Conservatory and the University of Maryland. He has received such recognitions as the Wilkins Memorial Prize at Oberlin and first prize in the Ohio Viola Society competition, plays in the viola section of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, and is on faculty at Levine Music.

Youbin received her Master’s from the New England Conservatory, and completed her Doctoral courses at Rutgers University. Her awards include prizes at American Protégé Concerto Competition, New York International Music Concour, and Grand Prize Virtuoso International Competition. She has performed at Jordan Hall, Sejong Performing Arts Center, Seoul Arts Center, Carnegie Hall, and Walter Auditorium in Lincoln, and has appeared as a section cellist in the Boston Civic and Boston Philharmonic orchestra. She is a cellist of the Maryland Symphony, a faculty at the Mason Community Arts Academy, and maintains a private studio in Northern Virginia.

DoYeon Kim, BM and DMA (University of Cincinnati CCM), MM (Eastman School of Music), is a distinguished soloist, orchestral musician, and educator. She has performed as a featured soloist at prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium, Weill Recital Hall, John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, and the Seoul Arts Center. She serves as Assistant Principal Cellist with the Washington Chamber Orchestra and has held acting principal and assistant principal positions with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra.

Chad Schwartz began his musical journey at age three with piano lessons, followed by cello at age nine, developing a passion for chamber music early on. He joined a quartet at age ten, coached by Helen Fall, and studied with members of the National Symphony Orchestra, including Loran Stephenson and Yvonne Caruthers. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music from James Madison University in 2007, where he was principal cellist in various orchestras and played with the Lexington Symphony. Over the past 20 years, Chad has performed at hundreds of weddings and gigs, working with Music By Anthem and Olivera Music Entertainment, and spent four months playing aboard the Celebrity Infinity. He has also played with several bands, from folk to modern rock. An avid gamer, Chad arranged a Zelda medley for his senior recital in 2006, which went viral and led to the creation of Triforce Quartet, a group he founded that has played nationwide and amassed millions of streams on Spotify. Chad’s classical background and love for video game music fuel his work with Triforce Quartet, blending his musical training with the themes of his favorite childhood games.

Principal Cello, Wonhee has been serving as the Chairman of the Maryland State’s Bach Solo completion and Young musicians competition for Cello and Violin since 2017. She was a faculty member of Peabody Institute’s Preparatory division for 15 years, and many of her students have won local competitions and positions in the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra and Peabody Youth Orchestra.

Simone is a senior Cello Performance major at the University of Maryland, and is currently studying with Dr. Eric Kutz. In his time at UMD, he has participated in masterclasses led by Inbal Segev, Yumi Kendall, and Amir Eldan. His primary summer festival engagements include the National Orchestral Institute and Interlochen Center for the Arts, and he hopes to participate in music festivals abroad in the future.

Kimberly Johnson, double bassist, studied Double Bass at Catholic University School of Music. She had the pleasure to study with Mr. William Vaughan of the National Symphony Orchestra and Ms. Linda McKnight Manhattan School of Music in New York. Throughout the season, She’s teaching bass & performing with many ensembles.

Co-founder of Good Beats, Rachel has performed everywhere from Syrian refugee camps, street schools in India’s slum, to prestigious stages including Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Singapore’s Esplanade, Shanghai Cultural Center, Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, and Seoul Art Center. She is a seasoned educator currently at Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University where she received her Doctor of Musical Arts.

From Baroque to Contemporary music, Gyuri Kim is a musician who loves to explore lesser known works and new music. Consistently pushing her technical ability on the flute, Gyuri has become a champion of new music and has collaborated with many composers writing new works for the instrument. She earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Flute Performance at The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University under Marina Piccinini and completed an Artist Diploma at The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music under Demarre McGill. After spending some time in her native country of South Korea, Gyuri has recently moved back to Baltimore where she enjoys teaching with her private studio.

Clarinetist Eric Black, praised by the Baltimore Sun for his introspective sound, is an active chamber, orchestral, and solo performer. He has played at venues across the U.S., from house concerts to Carnegie Hall, has served as guest Principal Clarinetist with Symphony in C and Principal Clarinetist for Marin Alsop’s Conducting Orchestra at Peabody Conservatory, and is a regular studio musician at Omega Recording Studios. Eric has appeared as Principal Clarinetist on the Peabody Symphony Orchestra’s album Flute Concerto / Air / Symphony No. 2, featuring Aaron Jay Kernis’ music under Marin Alsop and Leonard Slatkin. He earned his Graduate Performance Diploma in Clarinet Performance from Peabody in 2018 and has studied in masterclasses with renowned clarinetists like Anthony McGill, Boris Allakhverdyan, and Jonathan Gunn.

A native of south Florida, Dr. Dannel Espinoza is currently the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. Described as having an “effective sense of phrasing and dynamic sensitivity” (Florida Classical Review), Dannel has performed for audiences throughout the world as a soloist and chamber musician with various ensembles including the Kontra Duo with his wife, harpist Dr. Kristina Finch. Dannel completed his DMA in saxophone with a minor in conducting at the Eastman School of Music. His Bachelors and Masters degrees were earned at Northern Arizona University and Florida State University, respectively.

Dr. Matt Evans is an award-winning soloist, chamber musician, and educator who has performed and taught across the globe. Currently a saxophonist in the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” Matt also serves as Instructor of Saxophone at Virginia Commonwealth University. Matt is a founding member of the award-winning chamber ensembles Project Fusion, the Zzyzx Quartet, and the Eastman Saxophone Project. Matt studied with Dr. Otis Murphy and Dr. Chien-Kwan Lin at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and Eastman School of Music, respectively, earning the highest performance distinction - the Performer’s Certificate - at both schools. Matt is Yamaha Performing Artist and a D’Addario Woodwinds Artist-Clinician.

Saxophonist Dr. Doug O’Connor is passionate about sharing music that challenges audiences to explore, connect, and grow. His performances push the athletic limits of the saxophone and feature music from all eras and in many styles, including classical, contemporary, jazz, and electronic music. He strives to champion new works, present adventurous and innovative chamber music, perform with an improvisatory command of music from Bach to Coltrane, and connect music with technology in live performance. In 2023, Doug O’Connor joined the faculty of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University as Assistant Professor of Saxophone, as well as the board of 21st Century Consort, a D.C. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in its 50th year of creating and presenting new music to the community. O’Connor honed his artistic mission while performing on the Astral Artists roster from 2003 to 2013 and completing his training at the Eastman School of Music, where he earned his MM and DMA degrees in 2008 and 2012, and eventually went on to serve as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Saxophone in the fall of 2017. In addition, he served as Associate Lecturer of Saxophone at the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire, as a saxophonist with the United States Naval Academy Band, and since 2016 as a saxophonist with the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” He is proud to be a co-founder of the Global Premiere Consortium Commissioning Project, an online platform for instigating the composition, dissemination, and performance of new music worldwide, and the alto saxophonist with the acclaimed chamber ensemble Project Fusion Saxophone Quartet.

Aiwen Zhang is a forward-thinking artist dedicated to exploring eclectic musical repertoire and multi-media artforms that engage her global audience. A classically-trained saxophonist, she is in demand as both a performer and an educator , reaching audiences throughout the United States, China, France, Germany, Japan, and Thailand. Aiwen was the first person of Chinese descent and the first female to secure a Top Prize at the 5th Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition , one of the most prestigious saxophone competitions in the world.
Aiwen has led master classes at a variety of educational institutions including The Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Central Conservatory of Music (China), and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (Singapore).
She holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Paris Conservatory, and the Eastman School of Music. Her past instructors include Timothy McAllister, Claude Delangle, Chien-Kwan Lin, Vincent David, and John Sampen .

Dr. Youngik Jang is an award-winning multi-faceted guitarist, educator, and composer in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C, who has been globally performing as a soloist and chamber musician, along with many international award achievements. Dr. Jang is currently serving Montgomery College as a Professor of Music.

Jazz Percussionist Byung Kang is an in-demand drummer, educator, and session player in the DMV area. His experience studying and performing with Gary Thomas, Nasar Abadey, Blake Meister, Paul Bollenback, and Alex Norris has shaped his unique sound of traditional and modern drumming. His approach to music and the drum set has evolved since high school and continues to grow. He is the drummer for SoulTET and freelances in the DMV. Outside of his busy performance schedule, Byung is the band director at Glenelg Country School, Middle and Lower school divisions, nurturing the next generation of musicians.

Paul started learning music at a very young age, and has been performing live music since the age of 9. Paul has performed at Blues Alley, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Bohemian Caverns, Twins Jazz Club, Jojo’s Restaurant & Bar, Mr. Henry’s Restaurant, Eighteenth Street Lounge and more. As an in-demand drummer in the greater DMV area, Paul has had the pleasure of performing with many jazz artists in the DMV, and he hopes to continue to serve the community through music

Praised for his "magic in atmosphere, individuality, and poise,” Dr. Edwin Kim is a celebrated artist renowned for his versatility as a pianist, composer, vocalist, writer, and motivational speaker. His memoir, The Boy Who Wanted to Hug His Piano to Sleep (2023), along with his recently released choral album, MISSA VOCANTIS (Mass of the Calling), reflect his multifaceted artistry and profound connection with audiences. Dr. Kim has performed at prestigious venues such as the Sydney Opera House and the Seoul Arts Center, collaborating with esteemed ensembles like the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and the Manchester Camerata. A laureate of numerous international competitions, including first prize at the Australian International Chopin Piano Competition, he currently directs Ensemble Evolve, Trio Suits, and Vox Vocantis.

Bora is a sought after pianist in the DMV, and an invited featured artist. She has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Orford Arts Centre, and Baroque Recital Hall in Prague. Bora had been a faculty member at University of Cincinnati Preparatory, Radford University, Governor’s School in Virginia, and Washington Conservatory of Music. As a collaborative pianist, she works at the Aspen Music Festival and School, and at NSO Youth Fellowship Program at the Kennedy Center.

Ellen earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance/pedagogy from the Peabody Institute, where she was awarded a full scholarship as a graduate assistant in the piano/keyboard department. A passionate collaborative musician, Ellen loves performing with others to create meaningful musical experiences. She currently works as a staff accompanist at Peabody Preparatory and teaches at her private studio.

Versatile and flexible in all settings Dr. Kristina Finch, harpist (Hattiesburg, MS) is constantly striving to connect with new and diverse audiences using classical training and a passion for popular music to defy expectations and expand perceptions of the harp. Kristina performs with ensembles throughout the United States, included the Nu Deco Ensemble, Miami City Ballet, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, and as second harpist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Kristina is a visual artist, entrepreneur, Harp Mastery Certified Coach, harp faculty at the University of Southern Mississippi, host/creator of 101 episodes of the “Harp Column Podcast,” and social media manager for the Atlanta Harp Center.

A native of North Carolina, violist Madelene Stohl has appeared at festivals such as Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, and Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival. Madelene currently performs with the New Carolina Sinfonia and is an avid performer and teacher in the DC area. In addition, she is a dedicated violin and viola teacher and received her Suzuki Pedagogy under Joanne Bath at East Carolina University. She received a Bachelors of Music degree and Certificate of Advanced Performance studies under the tutelage of Ara Gregorian and Hye-Jin Kim at East Carolina University and a Masters of Music at the University of Maryland with Katherine Murdock and David Rose.

Dr. Jason L. Hanna is a powerhouse vocalist whose performances transcend genres and borders. He has traveled the world, captivating audiences from Bosnia to Moscow—where he served as a cultural ambassador—bringing his rich, emotive voice to global stages. His ability to connect through music has led him to perform for diverse audiences, from military communities to national arenas. As a Top 5 Finalist on America’s Got Talent with Voices of Service, Dr. Hanna blends technical mastery with heartfelt storytelling, making each performance a transformative experience.
His musical expertise shines through in stellar live performances at major events, including halftime shows for the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Tennessee Titans, as well as powerful renditions of the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers,Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks, and other prestigious sports and ceremonial events. His voice not only fills stadiums but also encapsulates the spirit of the moments he graces.
Yet beyond the bright lights and grand stages, Dr. Hanna remains a humble and dedicated servant leader. As a worship leader in his local church, he uses his voice and musical gifts to create powerful moments of faith, reflection, and connection. He is an Army veteran who holds master's and doctorate degrees in psychology from Walden University. He is a certified life coach, speaker, and leadership trainer, helping individuals and organizations develop resilience, confidence, and purpose. Whether in a packed stadium, a corporate boardroom, or an intimate sanctuary, his passion remains the same—to uplift, inspire, and bring people together through music, mentorship, and meaningful transformation.

Jordan Mills, known professionally as J. Mills, is a dynamic vocalist, pianist, producer, and conductor. A classically trained musician with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from the University of Maryland, College Park, J. Mills has captivated audiences across the East Coast with his powerful performances. He has graced renowned stages such as the Kennedy Center alongside acclaimed composer Stephen Flaherty and the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Beyond his work as a solo artist, J. Mills serves as the music director at Grace Presbyterian Church, where he leads multiple choirs and ministers through the transformative power of music each Sunday. As a dedicated composer and producer, he crafts original works for both himself and a diverse range of artists, seamlessly blending genres to create music that resonates deeply with listeners. With a passion for artistic excellence and musical storytelling, J. Mills continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of music.

Alex Tedrow is a composer, arranger, and educator who strives to connect performers and audiences of all ages with fresh, fun, and innovative music and technology. Offering a “vivacious and colorful” stylistic voice described as a “topography of beautifully integrated and deliberate sounds” (Eric Smedley), he regularly writes music for a wide variety of media. An Emmy-nominee and ASCAP Morton Gould Award winner, his works have been played internationally by musicians in both professional and educational settings – including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Wet Ink Ensemble, multiple U.S. military premier ensembles, acclaimed broadway performer, Christopher Jackson, and middle school, high school, and college bands from nearly every continent. With his background and training as a music educator, he frequently works as a clinician/guest conductor with student musicians to realize their full potential as young artists. In addition to his professional activities, Alex is committed to community engagement. In 2016, he co-founded Composing for a Cause – a not-for-profit program in which professional musicians travel to hospitals for children across the United States to host songwriting and creativity workshops. Alex currently resides in Washington D.C. as full-time Staff Arranger for The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," writing both original and arranged music performed at the White House and across the nation for officials at the highest levels of government and the military.

Hannah Tassler has performed with ensembles such as the Hawaii Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, and New World Symphony, and has worked with conductors and directors including Michael Tilson Thomas, Peter Sellars, Marin Alsop, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, and Stéphane Denève.
Hannah earned a Master of Music from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where she studied with Leone Buyse and Marianne Gedigian, and completed her Bachelor of Music from the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, studying with Marina Piccinini. Other teachers include Brook Ferguson, Aaron Goldman, Erica Peel, and Laurie Sokoloff. Her achievements include the Azalia H. Thomas Prize, the Britton Johnson Award, and induction into the Pi Kappa Lambda Society. This summer Hannah will participate in the prestigious Marlboro Festival in Vermont.

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