The Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts | WFMT

WFMT
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Each week WFMT goes live to the Chicago Cultural Center for concerts with emerging artists from around the world, produced by the International Music Foundation. Some shows offer solo recitals while others feature ensembles. The concerts take place beneath the world’s largest Tiffany-domed ceiling, part of a landmark building that originally housed the Chicago Public Library. The Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts are named for British pianist Myra Hess who organized some 1,700 free lunchtime concerts for Londoners during World War II, in the years of nightly air raids.

Episodes

  1. APR 15

    Julia-Hyunji Lee, cello and Umi Garrett, piano

    Cellist Julia-Hyunji Lee and pianist Umi Garrett perform works by Robert Schumann, Nadia Boulanger, Ludwig van Beethoven and Florence Price, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Praised by the La Jolla Light for her “warmth” and “musical integrity”, 25 year old Korean-American cellist Julia-Hyunji Lee is passionate about creating authentic connections and relationships through her love of music. She is a prize winner of the Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition, recipient of the Mary Alice Cox Award, first prize at the FFMC competition, and finalist of the Barbash J.S. Bach International Competition. As a soloist she has performed with the Ocala Symphony, Alachua County Symphony, and University of Florida Chamber Orchestra. Julia has been presented in performances by the Music in the Vineyards Festival in Napa Valley, La Jolla Music Society SummerFest, Montage Music Society, Santa Fe College of Fine Arts, Core Memory Chamber Music, Dame Myre Hess Series, and Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival. Deeply enthusiastic about collaboration, Julia has had the pleasure of performing alongside renowned artists such as Clive Greensmith, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Bion Tsang, Catherine Cho, Ara Gregorian, Robert McDonald, Inon Barnatan, Blake Pouliot, Merry Peckham, and Molly Carr across various international stages. Julia received a Bachelor of Music at The Juilliard School where she studied with Darrett Adkins and a Master of Music at Juilliard where she studied with the late Joel Krosnick under a C.V Starr Scholarship. She also studied baroque cello performance with Robert Mealy during her time at Juilliard. She is extremely grateful for her previous mentors, Wendy Warner and Chungsun Kim. In her free time, Julia enjoys practicing yoga and spending time with her cat, Clover. Umi Garrett is a highly accomplished solo and chamber pianist, having performed numerous recitals in the United States and internationally. Most recently, she performed Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time with principal members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra including Danny Jin, John Sharp, and Stephen Williamson at the University of Chicago, and performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall in collaboration with double bassist Nina Bernat. She was also recently featured on Interlochen Public Radio as part of a chamber music residency with Viridian Strings. She has performed regularly through presenters such as the Clark Art Institute, the Dame Myra Hess Series, Bay Chamber Concerts, and the Chopin Foundation of the United States. Umi has performed and toured with orchestras such as the Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra, Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony and Pops, Symphony Boca Raton, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Wuhan Symphony Orchestra, and the New Mexico Philharmonic. Umi was awarded first prize at The Juilliard School’s Concerto Competition, fourth prize at the 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition, and awarded the John Newmark Prize for Best Collaborative Pianist for her performances with finalist Nathan Meltzer at the 2023 Montreal International Violin Competition. She has also collaborated with prize-winners at renowned competitions such as the Queen Elisabeth Competition for Violin, Primrose International Viola Competition, the Naumburg International Cello Competition, and the Sphinx Competition. During the summers, Umi is a Staff Collaborative Pianist for the Program for Piano and Strings at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute, under the leadership of Artistic Director Midori. Umi has released three solo albums and released her debut chamber album in 2024 of the complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas under PARMA Recordings. Umi has received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance at the Juilliard School where she was a recipient of the Kovner Fellowship, and previously served as a Collaborative Piano Fellow at the Yale School of Music. She is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at The Juilliard School with Hung-Kuan Chen and Shai Wosner. Umi is a Young Steinway Artist. The post Julia-Hyunji Lee, cello and Umi Garrett, piano appeared first on WFMT.

    38 min

  2. APR 8

    Amiri Harewood, piano

    Pianist Amiri Harewood performs works by George Walker and J.S. Bach live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Currently studying at the Royal College of Music on a full scholarship under the tutelage of Danny Driver, Amiri Harewood holds the Ann Driver Trust Scholarship, supported by the Victor Dandaleh Foundation. He previously studied at Trinity Music Academy under Richard Evans. Amiri regularly performs across the UK and abroad. Previous engagements include solo recitals at prestigious venues including Steinway Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Institut Francais, Bishopsgate’s Institute, the Royal Albert Hall (as part of the Steinway Young Artist series), and an appearance performing on BBC Radio London. His appearances abroad include recitals at the Conservatorio in Venice, and the Mozart Music Festival in Forli, Italy. Amiri has also had the privilege of working with renowned musicians including Inon Barnatan, Vanessa Latarche and Trio Shaham-Erez-Wallfisch. The post Amiri Harewood, piano appeared first on WFMT.

    29 min

  3. APR 1

    Claire Bourg, violin and Kyle Orth, piano

    Violinist Claire Bourg and pianist Kyle Orth perform works by W.A. Mozart, Maurice Ravel, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Violinist Claire Bourg has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician at prestigious venues across the United States and Europe, including Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, the Kimmel Center, and venues in Bremen, Warsaw, and Brussels. Notable performances include Mozart’s First Violin Concerto with the Camerata Bern in Hannover and participation in the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Claire has earned acclaim in competitions, winning the 2021 Luminarts Fellowship, winning second prize in the 2020 Barbash J.S. Bach Competition, and prevailing at the New England Conservatory Competition. She has also had success in numerous competitions such as the Joachim, Singapore and Kreisler International Violin Competitions. A sought-after chamber musician, Claire has collaborated with distinguished artists like Mitsuko Uchida, Kim Kashkashian, and Jörg Widmann. She performs regularly with Musicians from Marlboro, Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, among others, and previously served as concertmaster of Symphony in C in Philadelphia. The post Claire Bourg, violin and Kyle Orth, piano appeared first on WFMT.

    51 min

  4. MAR 25

    Jenny Bahk, cello and Linda Lee, piano

    Cellist Jenny Bahk and pianist Linda Lee perform works by Lera Auerbach, Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Jenny Bahk is a 26-year-old cellist currently pursuing her Doctor of Music degree at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, studying with Brandon Vamos. She holds a Master of Music and a Master of Musical Arts degree from the Yale School of Music, where she was selected as part of Oneppo Chamber Series and the annual Chamber Music Competition, and served as principal cellist of the Yale Philharmonia. Jenny is also a graduate of The Juilliard School, where she was selected for the Honors Chamber Music program and the Juilliard Orchestra principal pool. As a chamber music enthusiast, Jenny has earned numerous awards. She was a finalist in the Music Academy of the West’s Duo Competition and was named Runner-up at WDAV’s Young Chamber Musicians Competition. Recently, as a member of the award-winning Amnis Piano Quartet, she received the gold medal and the audience award at the Chamber Music Yellow Springs competition, along with bronze medals at both the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and the Premio Renzo Giubergia Competition. Jenny made her solo debut performing Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations with the Seoul Academy Ensemble and recently was named Runner-up at Jacobs School of Music’s Concerto Competition. Known for her bold musical instinct and striking individuality, pianist Linda Lee brings a vivid sense of expression and deep stylistic understanding to every performance. Her natural phrasing, harmonic sensitivity, and communicative presence make her a compelling artist on both solo and chamber music stages. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, she began her musical studies at the age of five. She continued her training at Yewon School and Seoul Arts High School, and later earned her bachelor’s degree with honors from Seoul National University, where she studied with Prof. Aviram Reichert. During her time there, she was fully funded and received the Seoul National University Alumni Association Prize. The post Jenny Bahk, cello and Linda Lee, piano appeared first on WFMT.

    39 min

  5. FEB 25

    Hyerim Lee, piano

    Pianist Hyerim Lee performs works by Frédéric Chopin, Grażyna Bacewicz, and Claude Debussy, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Born in South Korea, Dr. Hyerim Lee is an accomplished pianist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. She is a prizewinner of numerous international competitions, including the OSAKA International Piano Competition, Ettlingen International Piano Competition, MTNA Young Artist Piano Competition, and American Protégé International Piano Competition. Most recently, she won First Prize at the Marquette Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. Dr. Lee has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Hill Auditorium, while also connecting with communities across Michigan through concerts and educational outreach, including a lecture recital and masterclass at Grand Valley State University and Northern Michigan University. Her international highlights include performances at the International Piano Festival of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), the Sicily International Piano Festival (Italy), the Campillos Piano Marathon (Spain), and the semi-final round of the Giorgos Thymis International Piano Competition (Greece). She also presented a successful solo recital as an artist-in-residence at Porto Pianofest (Portugal), which was broadcast on New Year’s Eve. She appeared as a soloist with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and the Marquette Symphony Orchestra, performing R. Schumann’s Piano Concerto, and in her final year in the United States, she presented her solo recital tour in cities such as Seattle, Vancouver, Cincinnati, and Chicago. As a co-founder of the Lunar New Year Piano Concert Series, Dr. Lee has performed in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and Toronto, curating programs that celebrate cultural exchange and artistic collaboration with her colleagues. In 2025, Dr. Lee returned to South Korea, where she continues to perform and teach actively. Upcoming engagements include solo recitals at the Seoul Arts Center and Daejeon Arts Center in May 2026, in addition to various ensemble concerts, further expanding her presence on the Korean concert stage. Dr. Lee earned her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance and Chamber Music under the guidance of Christopher Harding at the University of Michigan, and her Bachelor of Music degree from Seoul National University. The post Hyerim Lee, piano appeared first on WFMT.

    29 min

  6. FEB 18

    Yeontaek Oh, piano

    Pianist Yeontaek Oh performs works by Clara Schumann & Robert Schumann, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Praised by critics for the “millimeter precision of touch,” “full of contrasts and nuances,” “rare sensitivity and dazzling virtuosity,” “finesse of touch and technical mastery,” and the “brave administration of silence,” Yeontaek Oh began playing the piano at the age of five. He studied at Seoul National University, and New England Conservatory of Music, where he graduated with honors and was awarded the Gilbert Foundation Scholarship. After his studies in Boston, he pursued further study in Europe, completing his Konzertexamen at Hochschule für Musik Freiburg as a recipient of the DAAD and German Government Scholarship, and the Concertiste degree at École Normale de Musique de Paris on a full scholarship. He later earned his DMA at Manhattan School of Music with a teaching assistantship, completing a dissertation on piano pedagogy in relation to atonality and program music, focusing on his former teacher Gilead Mishory’s children’s pieces. In addition to winning over ten national competitions in Korea, including the prestigious Joong-Ang Music Competition and Artsylvia Chamber Competition, Oh has received more than ten international awards including Rio de Janeiro International Competition, Brazil (1st Prize) , Prix de Bern, Interlaken Klassics, Switzerland (2nd Prize), Piano Campus International Competition, France (1st Prize, Contemporary Piece Prize, Audience Prize), Animato International Piano Competition, France (Schumann Special Prize), Concours International de Piano de Lyon, France (3rd Prize, Special Prize), Arthur Lepthien Wettbewerb, Germany (1st Prize), Frechilla-Zuloaga International Piano Competition, Spain (1st Prize), Rome Chopin International Competition, Italy (2nd Prize), Valsesia Musica International Piano Competition, Italy (2nd Prize), Palma D’oro International Piano Competition, Italy (2nd Prize), Concorso Internazionale Pianistica “Piana del Cavaliere,” Italy (2nd Prize), Morocco Philharmonic Orchestra Competition, Morocco (2nd Prize) A Young Steinway Artist, Yeontaek Oh has joined the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music in January 2025. The post Yeontaek Oh, piano appeared first on WFMT.

    44 min

  7. FEB 4

    Amnis Piano Quartet

    Amnis Piano Quartet are violinist Minkyung Lee, violist Matthew McDowell, cellist Jenny Bahk and pianist Linda Lee. Their competition wins include bronze medal at the 50th Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, third prize at the Premio Renzo Guibergia Prize Competition (IT), Grand Prize and Audience Prize at the Yellow Springs Chamber Competition, the Oneppo Series Chamber Competition. They were also finalists at the Coltman Competition and were selected as finalists for the Schoenfeld International String Competition (Harbin, China). The quartet has concertized across the United States and performed with major chamber artists including the Emerson String Quartet, as part of the Great Lakes Festival, where they were an ensemble-in-residence [Shouse Institute], and the Centrum Chamber Intensive, where they collaborated with members of the Dover String Quartet. They also have given performances as part of the Clark Chamber Series in Waterford, CT, and the Pelican Cove Chamber Series in Sarasota, FL. The quartet began collaborating under the tutelage of Ettore Causa during their graduate studies at the Yale School of Music and has worked extensively with Wei-yi Yang, Boris Berman, Tai Murray, and the Horszowski Trio. The individual members hold degrees from Seoul National University, Colburn Academy, the Juilliard School, the International Menuhin Music Academy (Switzerland), and Yale University. The post Amnis Piano Quartet appeared first on WFMT.

    44 min

  8. JAN 28

    Joshua Mhoon, piano

    Pianist Joshua Mhoon performs works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Maurice Ravel, Ernesto Lecuona, Ottorino Respighi and Alexander Scriabin, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Mhoon began piano at age seven and advanced rapidly, demonstrating a rare combination of artistry, curiosity, and technical command. At just 15, he entered Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music to study with Dr. James Giles, Director of Musical Performance. He currently trains at The Juilliard School in New York City under the direction of Emanuel Ax, Yoheved Kaplinsky, and Julian Martin—three of today’s most celebrated pianists and pedagogues. His competition successes include top prizes at The DePaul National Concerto Competition, The Walgreens National Concerto Competition (Junior and Senior Divisions), and the Emilio del Rosario Concerto Competition. In 2023, he earned the Silver Medal at the inaugural Nina Simone Piano Competition—an accolade that launched a wave of high-profile performance opportunities across North America, Europe, and the Middle East for the 2025–2026 seasons. In July 2025, Mhoon was selected as one of four pianists for the first-ever Artists in Residence program at the inaugural Piano Festival of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Presented in collaboration with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the Saudi Ministry of Culture, and Lang Lang, the festival showcased Mhoon in concerts, masterclasses, and cultural exchange events throughout a landmark month-long residency. Mhoon’s international engagements have included performances in Japan, England, France, Austria, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. In the United States, he has appeared on top stages such as Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Steinway Hall, Chicago Symphony Center, the New World Symphony Center, Alice Tully Hall, and the Musikverein in Vienna. He has worked with many outstanding conductors and ensembles, including Louis Langrée with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Michael Stern with Orchestra LUMOS, the Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Philharmonic, Midwest Young Artists Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States, and the Polizeiorchester Sachsen. A proud Chicago native, Mhoon credits his artistic voice to the city’s rich tapestry of Black American music—gospel, jazz, blues, R&B, and hip-hop. His community-centered performances include appearances at Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s historic inauguration, a Chicago Bulls halftime show, and performances for civic leaders and international delegations. His broadcast presence includes features on NBC, CBS, WTTW, Red Bull TV, TV Asahi (Japan), and an Emmy Award-winning episode of PBS’s Built to Last. His radio credits include NPR’s From the Top, WQXR, WFMT, and WBEZ. Mhoon is expanding his creative footprint with his first film score, set for release in 2026, and continues to study jazz and spontaneous composition with influential mentors including the late Willie Pickens and Bobby Irving III. A Young Steinway Artist, he is committed to shaping an inclusive future for classical music—one that reflects and welcomes a broader range of audiences and experiences. As he shared in an early interview, “I definitely want to make music my life.” Today, Joshua Mhoon is doing exactly that—building a career defined by artistic excellence, global impact, and an inspiring sense of purpose. The post Joshua Mhoon, piano appeared first on WFMT.

    48 min

  9. JAN 21

    Stephanie Tang, piano

    Pianist Stephanie Tang performs works by Franz Schubert, Sofia Gubaidulina, Missy Mazzoli and Johannes Brahms, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. BBC Magazine Rising Star Stephanie Tang is a Chinese-American pianist with an active concert career in solo and chamber performance in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Europe. She has appeared in major international concert halls such as Carnegie Hall (New York), Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles), Sendai Concert Hall (Japan), Alte Oper (Frankfurt), Grafenegg Festival (Austria), TivoliVredenburg (Utrecht), Sony Auditorium (Madrid), Place Flagey (Brussels), Wigmore Hall, King’s Place, Barbican Centre (London), Banff Centre, and Koerner Hall (Toronto). An avid chamber musician, Stephanie has performed alongside and collaborated with Marc Danel, Alisa Weilerstein, Stefan Jackiw, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Nicholas Daniel, Michael Collins, John Adams, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. She has had the privilege of working closely with mentors such as Alfred Brendel, Eberhard Feltz, Steven Isserlis, Thomas Adès, Robert Levin, Claudio Martinez-Mehner, Alina Ibragimova, and Günter Pichler. She is the pianist and founding member of the award-winning Paddington Trio, one of the most exciting ensembles of this generation. Recent concert highlights include performances at Janine Jansen’s International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht, Chipping Campden Festival, Oxford Chamber Music Festival, Internacional Festival Cervantino, Four Seasons Chamber Festival, Listen Hear! Series in Sarasota, Florida, Toronto Summer Music, and a concerto debut at the Barbican Centre. This past season, Stephanie performed the rarely-heard Amy Beach Piano Concerto with the Barnet Symphony Orchestra in London, returned to the Kuhmo and West Cork Chamber Festivals, and appeared at the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival and La Jolla SummerFest. Raised in the Los Angeles area, Stephanie began her formal musical studies at the Shenzhen Arts School under renowned Chinese pedagogue Zhaoyi Dan. She holds degrees from the Colburn Conservatory of Music (B.M.), Glenn Gould School (A.D.), Yale School of Music (M.M.) and Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Her principal teachers have been John Perry, Peter Serkin, Leon Fleisher, and Ronan O’Hora. Stephanie is passionate about story-telling and making connections through programming. From the standard classical canon to the contemporary and underrepresented, she wishes to unite audiences and communities in a shared collective experience through music.   The post Stephanie Tang, piano appeared first on WFMT.

    36 min

  10. JAN 14

    Kacper Żaromski, piano

    Pianist Kacper Żaromski performs works by Karol Szymanowski and Frédéric Chopin, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Kacper Żaromski was born in 1999. He is a native from Rymanow Zdrój in South Eastern Poland. He graduated with honors from the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Music School in Krosno, under the teaching of Mrs. Dorota Skibicka. He then proceeded to complete a five-year course of study with Professor Katarzyna Popowa Zydroń, after which he was awarded a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree with distinction from the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music. He is currently pursuing a Performance Diploma at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts, under Professor Edward Auer. He is a prize winner of many Polish and international piano competitions: II Prize in International Chopin Piano Competition in Budapest (2016), VI Prize in 51st Polish National Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition (2022), I Prize in International Competition in Moscow (2016), I Prize in Leopold Bellan International Piano Competition in Paris (2018, 2020), I prize at I Internationalen Chopin-Klavierwettbewerb in Vienna (2018), I Prize in International Chopin Competitions in Antonin (2017) and Rzeszów (2017), and many others. In addition, his chamber music accolades include: III Prize in the 7th International Chamber Music Competition in Bydgoszcz (2020), II Prize in 1st International Online Instrumental Performance Competition (2021). In 2020, he received an Artistic Prize founded by Elżbieta and Krzysztof Penderecki at the XV International Piano Forum in Sanok. The post Kacper Żaromski, piano appeared first on WFMT.

    42 min
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Each week WFMT goes live to the Chicago Cultural Center for concerts with emerging artists from around the world, produced by the International Music Foundation. Some shows offer solo recitals while others feature ensembles. The concerts take place beneath the world’s largest Tiffany-domed ceiling, part of a landmark building that originally housed the Chicago Public Library. The Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts are named for British pianist Myra Hess who organized some 1,700 free lunchtime concerts for Londoners during World War II, in the years of nightly air raids.

Information

  • Creator
    WFMT
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Window to the World Communications, Inc.