Concert #3 ESTIVO TRIO 'a powerhouse of musical artistry'

Ying Ho piano. Jonathan Bérkes cello, Fox Chan violin

July 6th Sunday 2pm

Adult $40, Pensioner Concession $30, Children FREE

Venue:

Ross Memorial Uniting Church

Corner of Binalong and Derby Streets

Murrumburrah

NSW 2587

SHORT VERSION

The Estivo Trio is a powerhouse of musical artistry that has enchanted audiences worldwide since its formation in 2013. Featuring pianist Ying Ho, cellist Jonathan Bérkes, and violinist Fox Chan, they have become known for their electrifying synergy and nuanced interpretations, this dynamic trio blends technical brilliance with heartfelt expression.

Pianist Ying Ho, dazzles with her virtuosic skill and emotional depth, having performed extensively across Asia, Europe, and Australia. Beyond the stage, she inspires the next generation of musicians as a faculty member at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Cellist Jonathan Bérkes brings a rich, soulful tone to the ensemble. With a career spanning solo performances and collaborations with leading orchestras, Jonathan is lauded for his passion and innovation in exploring new cello repertoire.

Violinist Fox Chan, captivates with his vibrant style and versatility. A sought-after performer, he seamlessly transitions between solo and ensemble roles, while championing music education and outreach projects.

Together, the Estivo Trio creates unforgettable performances, combining tradition with a contemporary flair. Their appearances at prestigious festivals and concert series showcase a repertoire that bridges the classics and cutting-edge compositions, making them a standout in the world of chamber music.

YOU"D LIKE MORE ? OK Here is the LONG VERSION

The Estivo Trio is quickly establishing themselves as one of Australia's premiere trios. Based in Sydney, the ensemble brings together three outstanding young musicians of remarkable talent, passion and experience. Formed with the initiative of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music's inaugural Estivo Summer Chamber Music Festival in Verona, Italy, the trio consists of violinist Fox Chan, cellist Jonathan Békés and pianist Ying Ho. The trio made their European debut at the Sala Maffeina, Teatro Filarmonico in Verona, Italy. Their subsequent concerts at the San Fermo, Verona and the Vigeland Museum in Oslo, Norway, were all received with great critical acclaim. In July 2015, Estivo Trio became the only Australian piano trio selected for the 7th Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. The ensemble was one of 8 piano trios chosen from around the world. In September, the trio embarked on their first Asia Tour. They gave concerts, masterclasses and workshops in China, Hong Kong and Macau. In China, they performed to a full house of enthusiastic audiences of over 1500 people. Their concert at the Shenzhen Concert Hall was broadcasted on Shenzhen Television News. Estivo Trio has performed for Musica Viva Countrywide, at the Pearl Beach Festival, for the Coffs Harbour Music Society and the Orange Conservatorium of Music. They were featured in the Spotlight series at the Melbourne Recital Centre, and the Chamber Works series at the Sydney Conservatorium. Estivo Trio will perform the Beethoven Triple Concerto with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra at their Season Opening Concert this February at the Chatswood Concourse.

Violinist Fox Chan began studying piano and violin at the age of 4 with his mother Professor Luni Chen. He completed his Bachelor and Masters Degree studying with Professor Peter Shixiang Zhang and Associate Professor Alice Waten at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he was the recipient of the highest scholarship award. Fox has won major competitions and awards in Australia and Internationally, including the 1st prize of the Guangdong National Violin Competition in China (2001), and the prize for "Best International String Player" in the Gisborne International Music Competition (2010). As a chamber musician, Fox is the founder and violinist of the renowned Estivo Trio. Fox has given numerous solo recitals in Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Poland, Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Macau where his performances were met with great enthusiasm. He has made concerto appearances as a soloist with the Hunan Symphony Orchestra, Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, Xi'an Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra in China, Schnittke Chamber Orchestra, St Petersburg Chamber Orchestra in Russia, Orquesta Sinfonia of Micheoacan in Mexico, as well as chamber orchestras in Australia. Fox was invited to record Bach’s Sonatas for Violin and Piano and The Musical Offering for IPCJSB, the recording label of the J.S.Bach International Piano Competition (Germany). Fox teaches at the Sydney Conservatorium Music, also is the Director of the Arco Music Academy since 2012. Many of his students have been prizewinners of international and national competitions. He gives masterclasses in US, Europe, Australia, Russia and China, and was on the jury of the 2018 International Violin Competition in Guimaraes, Portugal. In 2017, Fox founded the "Fox International Music Association" aimed to nurture the next generation of young musicians and to encourage the appreciation of classical music. In 2018, Fox was nominated by the Australian Council as Citizen of the Year for his outstanding performances and contribution to the community. Fox was appointed as guest professor to the Cleveland Institute of Music International Academy faculty in 2018. In 2019, Fox founded the Sydney International Music Festival; Fox was awarded the Arts and Cultural Award on the 2020 Australia Day by the Australian Council. Fox Chan plays on an 1886 Eugenio Degani violin.

Jonathan Békés is one of Australia’s leading cellists and is a renowned solo artist, chamber musician, orchestral musician and educator. Békés grew up in Campbelltown, Sydney and began playing the cello at the age of 10. He studied a Bachelor of Music (performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and completed the Professional Performance Program at the Australian National Academy of Music. He studied with some of Australia’s leading cellists including Howard Penny, Julian Smiles and Susan Blake. He has worked with and played for some of the world’s leading cellists including Steven Isserlis, Pieter Wispelway, Nicholas Altstaedt, Alban Gerhart and Peter Bruns. Békés is based in Hobart, Tasmania where he is Principal cellist with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra: a position that he has held since 2021. He also plays regularly with the Australian World Orchestra, with whom he toured to Singapore in 2016 and India in 2018, the Southern Cross Soloists, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He has been principal cellist of the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Momentum Ensemble, the Musician’s Project, the Australian International Symphony Orchestra Institute and the Sydney Youth Orchestra. Békés is high demand as a chamber musician and frequently performs alongside renowned artists including Anthony Marwood, Stephan Dohr, Ole Bøhn, Howard Penny and Timothy Young. He is a founding member of the award-winning Clarendon Trio; semi-finalists in the 2018 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition and First Place winners in the 2017 ANAM Chamber Music Competiton. He is also a founding member of the Estivo Trio who have performed across the world including acclaimed concert tours of China, America, Italy and Norway. Békés tours with Musica Viva and regularly presents chamber concerts across Tasmania as an artist for Virtuosi Tasmania. As a solo artist Békés performs often across Australia and throughout the world. He has played as soloist with many orchestras across Australia including the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Southern Cross Soloists, Hobart Chamber Orchestra, the Sydney Youth Orchestra and the South Coast Orchestra.

Ying Ho has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician across Australia, England, Europe, Israel, China, and America. A recipient of the prestigious Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music International Scholarship, she studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, the Universität der Künste in Berlin, and the Sydney Conservatorium. During her studies, she won multiple prizes and scholarships including the Else Cross (Brahms) Prize and the Maud Hornby Prize from the Royal Academy, First Prize at the Kawai Australasian Youth Concerto Competition, and the Sydney Conservatorium Concerto Competition. Ying regularly performs at major venues across Australia including the Sydney Opera House, the City Recital Hall, the Sydney Town Hall, the Melbourne Recital Centre, and the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. She is often featured in Virtuosi Tasmania Concert Series, and TSO Chamber Music Series at Woolmers Estate and MONA, Hobart. She has also toured regionally for Musica Viva and most recently appeared in their Sydney Morning Masters Series. A highly sought-after collaborative pianist, Ying has performed with many distinguished Australian and international artists. She toured with British/Norwegian violinist Charlie Siem for his inaugural Australian tour. She regularly collaborates with the Sydney Symphony Fellows and worked with the Sydney Symphony under Simone Young. As a chamber musician, she performed in festivals including the Prussia Cove International Musicians Seminar in England, the Lausanne Academie de Musique in Switzerland, the Estivo Chamber Music Festival in Verona, Italy, and at the Mimir Chamber Music Festival in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2008, Ying spent a year in Jerusalem where she was on the faculty of the Edward Said Conservatory of Music. She gave concerts in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Haifa and Nazareth, and conducted the Conservatory's orchestra in Bach's Keyboard Concerto. Ying is currently Head of Keyboard at MLC School, Burwood, and is also on staff at the Sydney Conservatorium.

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