On May 7, two renowned Vancouver Island musicians are coming to Courtenay for an extraordinary performance.
Comox Valley native Helena Jung, cello, and Carter Johnson, piano, both of whom have enjoyed international careers, will be coming together for the first time to present a special concert of French romantic music.
Jung has had a diverse career as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, and teacher on Vancouver Island. She has performed with the Jeunesses Musical World Orchestra as a member, the Seoul Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and the Gyeonggi Provincial Philharmonic Orchestra as a principal.
As well, she joined various musical programs, such as the Ratzeburger Sommer Akademie Festival in Germany and the Verbier Festival in Switzerland.
She has appeared as a soloist with the Seoul Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, the Ewha University Symphony Orchestra, the Gyeonggi Provincial Philharmonic Orchestra in Korea, and the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra.
Jung plays with the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, the Island Baroque Ensemble, and is the leader of Vancouver Island Cello Ensemble.
Renowned for his profound artistry and captivating stage presence, Johnson has established a reputation as one of Canada’s most promising young musicians. He has won several competition prizes both nationally and internationally, notably taking part in the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, the CMFTA National Competition, the OSM Manulife Competition, and the Julia Crane International Piano Competition. His concerto repertoire ranges from Bach to Prokofiev and, he has performed as a guest soloist with orchestras such as the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of North New York, and the MasterWorks Philharmonic Orchestra. He is noted for his enthusiasm for Baroque music, the avant-garde, and German lieder, and he is active as a soloist and collaborator in both Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
Their recital, entitled Romance in Paris, will include a program of celebrated works by Chopin, Franck, Faure, Saint-Saens and Massenet. It will be held at the Stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 ($10 for students) and can be purchased at the door, at Long & McQuade, or at Blue Heron Books.
They can also be reserved by phoning 250-898-1132 or by emailing cellisthelena@gmail.com