Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra |
Leah Kim, Director/Violin, Viola |
Ms. Leah studied Performance and Pedagogy at Juilliard, Peabody Conservatory, and National Conservatory in France.
Ms. Leah has been on the faculty of Temple University, West Chester University, Valley Forge University, Eastern University, Settlement Music School, and Peabody Conservatory, PrepWest Catholic High School. She was a director of string ensemble at Archbishop John Carroll High School, Lehigh Valley Performing Arts High School, and director of music at Rebecca Davis Dance Company. Currently Ms. Leah is the Director of Music at Villa Maria Academy High School, a violinist in Fairmount String Quartet, La Croix Quartet, and Director of Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra and Chamberstrings Summer Camp. Ms. Leah’ music major students have gone on to play in the Philadelphia Orchestra, and to study at the Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard Music School, Manhattan School of Music, Eastman Music School, Peabody Conservatory, New England Conservatory, Rice University, Cleveland Institute of Music, Boston College, Swarthmore, Berkley, Michigan, Vanderbilt, Penn State, Columbia University, University of Hartford, Moravian University and Temple University. |
Jennifer Jie Jin,
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Jennifer Jie Jin (cello) has performed in music capitals in North America, Europe and Asia. She has played with the Cleveland Orchestra ,Boston Symphony, Houston Symphony, New World Symphony, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Orchestra 2001, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Princeton Symphony, Philly Pops and has been invited to U.S. music festivals including Aspen, Tanglewood, Ravinia, National Repertory Orchestra, Taos as well as international festivals in Europe.
An active chamber musician, she is the founder of the Tang-gu-la String Quartet, which toured worldwide and received numerous honors, winning Second Prize in the First National String Quartet Competition. Shortly after that award, the quartet appeared in Isaac Stern’s Oscar-winning documentary “From Mao to Mozart” and performed for President Bill Clinton. Currently, she is the cellist of Pyxis Piano Trio ,Copeland String Quartet, member of Delaware Symphony and Principal Cello of Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. She was a member of Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Harrisburg Symphony, Colorado Music Festival Orchestra and Principal Cello of Bay Atlantic Symphony. Passionate about music education, Ms. Jin is the Co-Director of Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra and Chamber Strings Music Camp. She received the Ovation Award for inspiration and outstanding leadership in music education presented by Philadelphia Youth Orchestra in 2016. Ms. Jin is a graduate of Rice University, Cleveland Institute of Music and Shanghai Conservatory of Music. www.jenniferjiejin.com |
Gareth Haynes,Conductor
Conductor, Composer, Pianist and Organist Gareth Haynes graduated from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in classical composition in May of 2018, studying under Professor Jan Krzywicki and Dr. Cynthia Folio. Beginning in November of 2023, he is the Organist and Music Director at St. Matthew’s Parish in Conshohocken, where he is building a new music program.
Mr. Haynes’s performance experience includes the full range of brass and woodwinds, as well as piano, organ, harpsichord, and voice. As a teenager, he studied clarinet with Will Amsel and Gi Lee, and played with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. While in college, Mr. Haynes sang tenor with the University Concert Choir and Graduate Conductors’ Chorus, served as a staff singer at the Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany in Center City Philadelphia, and played sackbut with the Temple Early Music Ensemble. As a student, Mr. Haynes won two composition competitions hosted by the Network for New Music. Mr. Haynes currently directs the intermediate division of the Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra, a strings program based in Malvern. As a conductor, he has had opportunities to study with Maestro Miguel Romea, Dr. James Jordan, Dr. Timothy McDonnell, and Sir James MacMillan. Additionally, he accompanies violin students of Ms. Leah Kim-Tomilson and ‘cello students of Ms. Jie Jin, in which capacity he maintains a busy schedule of recordings, auditions, and performances. |
Sarah Sutton - Viola,Violin |
Sarah Sutton holds an international presence as both a performer and pedagogue of
viola. Her career has seen her play for distinguished figures like Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, and more, earning praise for her captivating and emotionally rich performances. Ms. Sutton has appeared on stages across Europe, North and South America, performing both as a soloist and a principal violist. She has enchanted audiences in prestigious venues like the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels, Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, London's esteemed Royal Albert Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the iconic Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, UK. Her festival appearances include events like the Summer Music Festival at Blackthorpe Barn (UK) and the Menuhin Festival in Switzerland. As a dedicated chamber musician, Sarah has collaborated with the Carmina Quartet, the Camerata Lysy Gstaad, and the Camerata Philadelphia. She has held pivotal positions with the New World Symphony, the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a guest principal violist at the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, UK. Born in England, Sarah Sutton received her musical education at the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music (UK) and the International Menuhin Music Academy in Switzerland. She later refined her skills under the guidance of Alan DeVeritch at Indiana University. Sarah Sutton currently resides in the Philadelphia area with her family. She enjoys reading and gardening, and is constantly disappointed that she can’t make her garden look like those at Buckingham Palace. |