Summer of Love: Steven & Francisco in Concert

Internationally, Mr. Lin performed in Asia frequently during 2015-16, including a solo recital tour of Taiwan, and four recitals in China, including Shanghai, as well as a tour of Korea and China with the DITTO Ensemble. Other recent performances abroad include: National Taiwan Symphony; Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (Taipei); Taipei Symphony Orchestra; the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra; the Israel Sinfonietta Beer Sheva; and the Costa Rica National Symphony, as well as a recital at the Finca World Piano Festival in the Canary Islands, and a recital tour of Japan.

Steven Lin’s artistry was clear from an early age when he was accepted by The Juilliard School on a full scholarship to study with Yoheved Kaplinsky at the age of ten, which in turn led to his debut with the New York Philharmonic in Avery Fisher Hall when he was only 13.  Additional concerto highlights include the New Jersey Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Tulsa Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic and Sendai Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared on radio broadcasts including NPR’s From The Top and WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase, and he is featured prominently in the Cliburn Competition documentary film, Virtuosity, which premiered on PBS in 2015.

The pianist’s broad musical interests allow him to move with ease between concertos, recitals and chamber music, enjoying appearances world-wide at important venues including the Louvre and Salle Cortot in France, National Dublin Hall in Ireland, Seoul Arts Center in Korea, Sendai Cultural Center in Japan, and Avery Fisher Hall in the United States.  Recent recital debuts include: both Zankel Hall and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall; The Kennedy Center; The Gilmore Rising Stars series; the Wallis Annenberg Performing Arts Center in Beverly Hills, and the National Chopin Foundation. Recent summer festivals include the Aspen Chamber Music Workshop, under the mentorship of David Finckel and Wu Han, and the La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest, curated by violinist Cho-Liang Lin.

In addition to his victory at the Concert Artists Guild competition, 2012 was a big year for Mr. Lin, when he was a prizewinner at the William Kapell International Competition, The Juilliard School’s Gina Bachauer Piano Competition and he was awarded an unprecedented three honors at the 2012 International Hilton Head Piano Competition, cited for his excellence in baroque and contemporary music as well as his overall pianism.

Steven Lin recently completed the prestigious Performance Diploma program at the Curtis Institute of Music, under the guidance of Robert McDonald, and before that, he earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at The Juilliard School, studying with Mr. McDonald and Matti Raekallio.  When not making music, Steven describes himself as an ‘NBA basketball fanatic,’ a source of great pride and commitment which began when he was eight years old.  Despite living most of his life on the east coast, he is a passionate L.A. Lakers fan.

“Vila brought out the fervor and vitality…consummate projection.”
- The Strad Magazine (April 2012)

Ecuadorian cellist Francisco Vila-Haas began playing the cello at age 8 and had his solo debut with orchestra at 14.  Concert activities have taken him throughout Europe, North and South America.

Collaborations include those with artists such as Nobuko Imai, Maria João Pires, Gary Hoffman, Wolfram Christ, Lynn Chang, Hansjörg Schellenberger, Martin Charlifour, Michel Arrignon, Andrey Baranov, Rune Bergman, Sunwook Kim and others.

Mr. Vila-Haas has appeared as a soloist with the Houston Symphony, Liège Royal Philharmonic, Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, Santander Festival Orchestra, Indiana University Philharmonic, the Central Florida Orchestra and all principal orchestras of his native Ecuador.  He has been a participant at the Ravinia Steans Institute and guest artist at the Beaumaris, Santander, and Stavelot music festivals among others, and in such venues as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall, Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, Disney Hall and Japan's Phoenix Hall.

Aside from performance Vila-Haas views teaching as an important aspect in music-making. In March of 2015, Mr. Vila and oboist Iria Porras founded the first International Music Festival of Esmeraldas (Ecuador) in Vila-Haas’ hometown. This is a social project that unites the most talented young artists for two weeks of masterclasses with international artists, while also providing all of its activities including concerts free of charge to the public. Vila-Haas is fortunate to include among his mentors Gary Hoffman, Sharon Robinson, Janos Starker, and Menahem Pressler at Indiana University where he was the first-prize winner of the ’09-’10 concerto competition.

Mr. Vila-Haas performs on a fine 1790 Vincenzo Panormo cello on generous loan from the Saul B. and Naomi R. Cohen Foundation.