Encore Trio

Jocelyn Chen, piano; Sedong Hwang, cello; Hannah Kim, violin

Jocelyn Chen is a sophomore from Northwood High School in Irvine, California. First exposed to the piano at the age of three, she has played piano almost every day since. Currently, she is studying piano with Miranda Wu, and enjoys making music very much.  
Jocelyn has performed at Carnegie Hall as a part of the AFAF Golden Era of Romantic Music Competition and American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music. Last year, she also won second place in the Paris Grand Prize Virtuoso. During the summer, she had the honor of performing in the Redlands Bowl as a winner of the Redlands Bowl Young Artists Competition. In the past years, she has won various prizes in MTAC Branch Competitions, including the Bach, Contemporary, Romantic, and Scholarship Festivals. In addition to playing piano, Jocelyn also plays bassoon in her school’s highest band, which recently went on a tour of Washington D.C. She also participates in Marching Band as a percussionist, and Junior Chamber Music OC division as a pianist. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family, crocheting, folding origami, and baking. Jocelyn would like to thank her supportive family and teacher for giving her so many opportunities to shine in her piano career. 

Sedong Hwang (15), originally from Seoul, South Korea, is a first year student at University High School. In addition to excelling at his academics and being an integral member of his school’s student council, he has studied cello for 10 years. He continuously works on his playing with his teachers Stan Sharp and Robert deMaine. Sedong’s passionate pursuit of perfecting his performance has earned him the title of winner of ASTA LA finals, winner of SYMF Young Cellist, and winner of VOCE competition. He has diligently completed three years of Montecito International Music Festival and four years of Junior Chamber Music. He had the privilege of participating in master classes with Lynn Harrell, Robert deMaine, and Daniel Rothmuller. He has also performed with John Walz, Dennis Karmazyn, and Susan Boettger. His Junior Chamber Music group has also been named debut artist both in the 2015-16 season and the 2016-17 season. He will also be participating in California’s All State Symphony Orchestra program in February , 2017. In his free time, Sedong likes to read psychology books and code his own video games.

Hannah Kim is 13 years old and is a senior at the Pagasus School in Huntington Beach. She has been involved in JCM since 2012 and she is thrilled to be a part of 2016-2017 Debut artist program. She has been a recipient of merit scholarships at the Colburn School and at Young Musicians Foundation since 2012. She was selected by the faculty of the Colburn School to perform at the School's Honor's recitals in 2015 and 2016. She appeared as a soloist multiple times with Dream Orchestra, Debut Orchestra, and Riverside Philharmonic.