Bard Conservatory Viola Faculty Member Brian Hong Joins the Aizuri String Quartet

Brian Hong, a Bard College Conservatory of Music faculty member who teaches viola and chamber music, has recently joined the Aizuri String Quartet. The Aizuri Quartet, managed by Gregory Brown at Pink Noise Agency, “views the string quartet as a living art and springboard for community, collaboration, curiosity and experimentation.” Praised by The Washington Post for “astounding” and “captivating” performances that draw from its notable “meld of intellect, technique and emotions,” Aizuri sets itself apart with its vigorous and passionate commitment to contemporary music and commissions. Their upcoming season will see world premieres of works by composers such as Jennifer Higdon, and collaborations with great composers and performers such as the Kronos Quartet and Kinan Azmeh. In their recent announcement, Aizuri welcomed its two new members, violist Brian Hong and cellist Caleb van der Swaagh, writing: “We’re over the moon to have these two incredible musicians join our quartet. Brian and Caleb are dynamic performers, passionate teachers, and creative thinkers. We are honored to welcome such thoughtful artists and beautiful humans into the Aizuri family.”

Brian Hong is a viola faculty member at Bard College Conservatory of Music. For the past five years, he has served as co-Artistic Director of NEXUS Chamber Music Chicago, an artist-driven collective of musicians with a mission to make classical music culturally relevant through live concerts and multimedia content. A Carnegie Hall Ensemble Connect alum and a Kovner Fellowship recipient, Hong studied violin with Laurie Smukler and Catherine Cho at Juilliard. He is the Programming Director of Project: Music Heals Us, a nonprofit providing musical education, access, and healing to isolated and marginalized communities.

Post Date: 08-15-2023