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 Julia Hwang is a South Korean violinist
born in January 1996.
She started playing the violin at the age of 6. It was
meeting with Professor Richard Crabtree at the age of 7 which triggered her
astonishing ability to learn fast and efficiently.
Richard Crabtree says about Julia:
"Julia is an extraordinary musical
talent. This is also the opinion of my most esteemed
colleagues. Working with her is always a pleasure and I have never
come across such commitment in someone so young. It is a privilege to help
Julia in her quest to become a world-class violinist."
In November 05, at the age of 9, Julia took her
Grade 8 final Trinity exam, which she passed with an exceptional mark of
96%. The Trinity Board examiner was so astonished by Julia's
performance that he wrote on her examination report: 'It is
very rare for any examiner to witness such remarkable talent in one so
young - I wish you luck'
Also that year, she was invited to play as a guest
soloist with the English National Baroque Orchestra where she received a
standing ovation for her performance of Bach’s concerto in A minor.
In October 07, Julia was the youngest ever
winner of the Two Moors Competition held in Devon in collaboration with
Classic FM. The adjudicators awarded her the first prize on the basis
of her presentation and musical communication skills.
Her debut recital was in February 08 at the
prestigious St. George's Hall in Bristol. She enthralled the
audience who gave her three standing ovations, which she rewarded with two
encores. Her reviewers and professional musicians alike were
unanimous in regarding her as an outstandingly talented violinist.
The review in the Bristol Evening Post
concluded:
"Her confidence and tremendous instrumental
prowess augurs well for her future and I feel, with this recital, Julia has
already made a dramatic impact on the musical world."
Julia then performed in ten public
concerts. In May and June 08 she performed as a soloist with the
London Soloists Ensemble playing Saint-Saëns' Rondo Capriccioso. July was
her fourth year as a guest soloist at Clifton College's Prom on the Close
where she performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
In June 08, Julia won the Gregynog Young Musician
of the Year, which takes place in mid-Wales near Newtown with competitors
up to 18 years of age. At 12, Julia was their youngest ever winner,
and succeeded against competition which included a BBC Young Musician of
the Year semi-finalist.
The adjudicators were a distinguished national
panel of Jonathan Price, Michael Harris and Jane Watts. The organisers were
so taken by her performance that they invited her back the following year
to give a recital.
Julia spent these Summer holidays on
international music courses.
In the fabulous setting of the Royal Monastery
of San Lorenzo, El Escorial, outside of Madrid, Julia led an undergraduate
chamber orchestra performing Brandenberg 3 in front of Juan Carlos, the
King of Spain.
She attended several, LMFL intensive summer courses in the
master-classes, given by Alexander Trostiansky, professor of violin at the
Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Moscow. He said ‘that having listened
to the most exceptional violinists in South Korea, Julia was the most
technical and musically gifted artist of them all. But above all, he
was impressed by her kind and warm personality.’
Julia received a Distinction in her Diploma ABRSM
exam in Dec 08.
Other successes have included winning the
"Jeune Espoir 2008" of the Concours Internationaux de
Musique Academie de Val d'Isère, Rotary Young Musician of the Year 2009,
and the IAPS National Young Musician of the Year 2009.
Julia released her debut CD in 2007 and her
second CD in 2009, called ‘My Recital’. This was recorded in seven hours –
an astonishing achievement, considering the difficulty of the programme.
She now currently lives in Bristol England
attending Clifton College, one of England most prestigious independent
schools , where she was awarded an academic and music scholarship.
Since December 2007, Julia has had a world-class
violin on permanent loan, since moving to a full-size violin in December
2007. This violin is loaned to her on formal agreement through a
trust, set up by the owners who had heard her play and were moved to
contribute. The agreement explains that:
"…the Trustees express the intention not to
reclaim possession of the Violin whilst they consider that it is being
properly used and is furthering Julia's career"
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