Afendi Yusuf
Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Afendi Yusuf was recently appointed Principal Clarinet of The Cleveland Orchestra. He has appeared as guest principal with several North American orchestras, including the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, and the Toronto and Cincinnati symphony orchestras. As a guest musician, he has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, Gianandrea Noseda, Edo de Waart, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Robert Spano, and Leon Fleisher. Mr. Yusuf holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, as a student of Ross Edwards, and an Artist Diploma from The Glenn Gould School in Toronto, Ontario, as a full-scholarship student of Joaquin Valdepeñas. He also holds a Master of Music degree and Professional Studies Certificate from the Colburn School’s Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, California, where he was a student of Yehuda Gilad.
Wesley Collins
Wesley Collins joined The Cleveland Orchestra as principal viola with the start of the 2016-17 season. He previously served as a member of the viola section of the Boston Symphony Orchestra beginning in 2012 and was promoted to third chair viola there in 2014. Before joining the Boston Symphony Orchestra, he was a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 2008-12. Wesley Collins completed his bachelor of music degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music in May 2007, where he was a student of Robert Vernon (principal viola of The Cleveland Orchestra 1973-2016). While in Cleveland, Mr. Collins played as a substitute musician with The Cleveland Orchestra, played in the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, and City Music Cleveland, and served as assistant principal viola with the Akron Symphony Orchestra. His summer activities have included the Tanglewood Music Center, Sarasota Music Festival, Encore School for Strings, and the Pacific Music Festival.
Dawoon Chung
Praised for her “enthralling performances” (Culver City Observer), Dr.Chung has enjoyed an international career encompassing several continents. She has appeared as a soloist with the Indiana University Orchestra and the Gwangju Philharmonic in addition to receiving numerous awards as a winner of the Choon-Choo, Suk-Myung University, and Indianapolis Matinee competitions. Passionate about social justice and educational outreach events, Dawoon is a guest artist of Project: Music Heals Us, a non-profit organization that presents interactive classical music performances to diverse audiences in order to provide encouragement, education, and healing with a focus on elderly, disabled, rehabilitating, incarcerated, and homeless populations.Dawoon graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree as a Dean’s scholarship recipient. Most recently, she completed her Doctorate degree at the University of Southern California under the tutelage of Jefferey Kahane.
At this point in time, all pews in West Shore Church will be used and the decision to wear a mask will be a personal one. There will be both a live audience, and live streaming for those at home. Donations are always welcome. For further information email us at info@rrcms.org, or follow RRCMS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Watch this concert live
The RRCMS continues to grow and inspire, and it is thanks to you. Your donations of time and resources make the effort and incredible outcome possible. From RRCMS, from the musicians, from the audiences, from the community - THANK YOU.
Donate here.>>
Enjoy a performance in a modern and elegant sanctuary that includes a Steinway grand piano that has been played by both local and visiting musicians who appreciate its rich tones.
Find out more about the venue. >>