Soloists

Jorge Ávila, Violin

November 7, 2015
Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64

Jorge Ávila has won attention as an outstanding violinist through numerous appearances as a soloist, recitalist, concertmaster, and chamber musician. Jorge has performed as a soloist with orchestras in Europe, the U.S., Central and South America. In the New York City area, he has appeared as a soloist with the Bay Atlantic Symphony, Saint Andrew Chorale and orchestra, Ridgefield Symphony, Colonial Symphony, Riverside Orchestra, Hofstra Symphony, New Amsterdam Symphony, City Island Chamber Orchestra, and The Bronx Arts Ensemble. He was hailed as “a strong violinist” by the New York Times after his performance in The Sacred Music in a Sacred Space concert of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and the Haydn Sinfonia Concertante.

Born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Jorge began his violin studies at age 14. During his studies in Honduras, he received first prize in the “La Botonia” competition. In 1987, Jorge moved to the U.S. to study at the University of Georgia as a full scholarship student, where he served as concertmaster of the orchestra and member of the Pre-College faculty. In 1988, Jorge won the Atlanta Music Club Concerto Competition. That same year, Jorge moved to New York City where he began his studies as a scholarship student at the Mannes College of Music. He received both his Bachelor of Music and Professional Studies diplomas from Mannes College.

Jorge has recorded for the Centaur, Naxos, Nonesuch Records and other labels. He has also performed live on both television and radio. On April 20th of 2008, Jorge appeared as Concertmaster for Pope Benedict XVI at a televised Mass held at Yankee Stadium, and will appear as concertmaster for Pope Francis in his upcoming visit to New York City.

Qing Li, Violin

March 12, 2016
Antonio Vivaldi: Four Seasons

Violinist Qing Li brings great warmth, poise, and insight to her music making. Born in Beijing China, Ms. Li began violin studies at age 4 with her father Zhen-Kun Li. At age 12, Qing Li was accepted to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. There she was discovered at a master class by Berl Senofsky, the first American to win the prestigious Queen Elizabeth International Violin Competition. Mr. Senofsky brought her to Baltimore’s Peabody Conservatory. She was granted a full scholarship and won the Marbury violin competition. In 1993 Ms. Li auditioned for the Baltimore Symphony, winning a position playing a $100 Chinese violin. Ms. Li currently performs on a Neopolitain instrument made by Nicolo Gagliano in 1736.

Qing Li is currently the BSO’s Principal Second Violin, appointed by Yuri Temirkanov in 2000, and is frequently featured as a soloist. Other solo engagements have included the Butterfly Lovers Concerto at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, the Haydn violin concerto with the Richmond Symphony, and the Bach Double Concerto with Hilary Hahn. Ms. Li is also a Piatigorsky Foundation Artist, a much sought after recitalist, chamber musician and guest Concert Master.

Her broadcast appearances include a biography on Voice Of America, interviews on Baltimore’s WBJC and WYPR radio and television stations in Germany and China. Notable reviews for Qing Li include the Baltimore Sun, ‘It was impossible not to be swept along by all the passion’, The German Hohenlohe News ‘excelled with ethereal play’ and the Richmond Times, ‘her style was impeccable.’