A morning of violin and cello classics with Vivaldi, Bach, Saint-Saëns, and more!

Korean-born cellist Dr. Yuyoung Chung has performed at world-renowned festivals including Aspen and Tanglewood. She has received numerous awards and prizes, including the prestigious Performance Certificate with Special Distinction from Indiana University, and has collaborated with legendary artists such as Yo-Yo Ma. She is the former Principal Cellist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She currently serves on the faculty of the Music Institute of Chicago and as a cello coach for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Cellist Lavie Huang (15) is a Merit Scholarship Fellow at the Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago, a training center for advanced pre-college musicians. Lavie studies cello with Avi Friedlander and Hans Jensen. In 2025, Lavie debuted as a soloist with the Northeastern Illinois University Orchestra, winning the Chicago Chamber Music Festival Concerto Competition.  In addition to solo performance, Lavie enjoys playing chamber and orchestra music through MIC Academy, New Trier High School Symphony Orchestra, summer camps, and festivals. She. Lavie is a rising sophomore at New Trier High School. In her free time, she enjoys art, ballet, coding, composition, reading, and writing.

Violinist Eliana Song (15) is a Merit Scholarship Fellow at the Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago, a training center for advanced pre-college musicians, and is a ninth-grade student at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. She currently studies with Almita Vamos and Davis King. She won the 2025 Chicago Chamber Music Festival competition, 2022 Walgreens National Concerto Competition (Early Music Division), and twice won first place at the Sejong Music Competition. Outside of her musical pursuits, Eliana is passionate about giving back to the community. She volunteers weekly, teaching violin to refugee children, and shares her music through performances on mission trips and at retirement centers.

Ryan Lim (11) made his solo debut at Carnegie Hall at the age of eight. He currently serves as a principal cellist in the Debut Orchestra of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. He studies cello with Yuyoung Chung and Tanya Carey, and is a prizewinner of numerous awards, including the International Grande Music Competition and the Golden Classic Award. Outside of music, Ryan is as AAA hockey player and enjoys spending time with his family.

Henry Lim (8) is rising cellist who loves music. He studies cello with Dr. Yuyoung Chung and Tanya Carey. In his free time, he is an active hockey player and loves chess, piano, drawing, and writing.

The Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) Academy is a nationally recognized training center for gifted pre-college pianists and string players. The program provides a comprehensive music education for students who aspire to be professional musicians. Academy students are national and international medal winners who matriculate to the nation's top conservatories and universities.    

Founded in 1931, the Music Institute of Chicago fosters lifelong engagement with music for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Each year, the Music Institute provides personalized music instruction to more than 1,500 students, regardless of age, level of experience, or financial means, across locations in Chicago, Downers Grove, Evanston, Lake Forest, and Winnetka, as well as online.