The Samuel Vargas International Music Foundation is pleased to announce Dr. Kirsten Yon as our next guest teaching artist. On August 6, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. ET (timezone of New York/Venezuela), Dr. Yon’s master class with SVIMF’s SV Scholars will be streamed on our website and social media platforms. The speaker will be presenting in English with Maestro Samuel Vargas acting as our Spanish translator and facilitator. Please subscribe to our newsletter below in order to receive important updates including the logistics of this event!

The generosity of Dr. Yon is not only evident in light of her support of SVIMF through the upcoming master class, but also through constant outreach work in her community and around the world. Read more about her background and projects below:

Kirsten Yon is Associate Professor of Violin and Head of the String Division at the University of Houston Moores School of Music. Former faculty at Texas Tech University, Yon received her DMA from Rice University after completing degrees at the Cleveland Institute of Music and University of Michigan. Her career includes recital engagements and masterclasses throughout the United States (including Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall), Brazil, Czech Republic, England, South Korea, Honduras, Mexico, Germany, France, Iceland, and Norway.  Dr. Yon spent recent summers teaching and performing at festivals such as Interlochen, ARIA, Texas Music Festival, International Music Academy Pilsen (Czech Republic), Liberec International Violin Academy (Czech Republic), Cedar Valley Chamber Music (Iowa, United States), Nathan Schwartzman String Festival (Brazil), Naolinco International Music Festival (Mexico), and the Cambridge International String Academy (England). The winner of multiple competitions, Yon garnered outstanding accolades for her performances as a concert soloist, chamber musician, and for her concerto appearances. 

A versatile orchestral musician, Professor Yon held concertmaster chairs with the Bayou City Chamber Orchestra, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Caprock Pro Musica Sinfonietta, Ballet Lubbock, and Cypress Symphony, and regularly performed with diverse ensembles including River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO), Aperio, Baroque ensemble Ars Lyrica, and Musiqa contemporary ensemble. Currently she serves as concertmaster of the Shreveport Symphony (Louisiana) under the baton of Michael Butterman. 

Dedicated to musical outreach at both the community and international levels, Yon is Founder/Artistic Director of Encuentro de Cuerdas, a long-term pedagogical outreach program in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Throughout her career, her students have won numerous solo competitions and awards. Dr. Yon is former president of the South Plains Suzuki Strings Foundation and is a strong advocate of string education.  Major teachers included Stephen Shipps, David Updegraff, William Preucil, and Kathleen Winkler.  When not teaching and playing the violin, she is likely spending time with her two rescue puppies, Bella and Jasper!

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