Welcome New Musicians
Welcome to our four new members!
GRSMA has some new faces this season. We extend a warm welcome to violinist Yu Xin, violist Benjamin Penzner, flutist Yukie Ota, and clarinetist Hyunwoo Chun
Yu Xin
A native of China, Yu Xin is thrilled and grateful to join the Grand Rapids Symphony! She began playing violin at the age of five and has built a dynamic career in the U.S., currently serving as Associate Concertmaster of the Battle Creek Symphony and holding tenured positions with the Kalamazoo, Illinois, Lansing, and Flint Symphony Orchestras. An active educator, Ms. Xin teaches at the Flint Institute of Music and recently joined the violin faculty at Grand Valley State University. She holds performance degrees from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory (B.M.), DePaul University (M.M.), and is completing her DMA at Michigan State University.
Benjamin Penzner
Violist Benjamin Penzner is very excited to be playing with the Grand Rapids Symphony. He relays that "it has been a dream to play with such a high caliber orchestra and I look forward to the amazing season ahead!" Benjamin Penzner attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for his undergraduate and graduate degrees in viola performance. He was most recently Principal Violist of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, as well as a regular freelance musician with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Jackson Symphony, and Orchestra Sono.
Yukie Ota
A native of Japan, flutist Yukie Ota is thrilled and honored to join the Grand Rapids Symphony and make music with such inspiring colleagues! She previously served as Principal Flute of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and Peoria Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a soloist with both orchestras. Recognized internationally for her artistry, she has also performed as a substitute flutist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
Hyunwoo Chun
A native of Seoul, South Korea, clarinetist Hyunwoo Chun is thrilled and honored to perform with the Grand Rapids Symphony. He was previously a member of Symphony New Hampshire and has performed with various orchestras, including the Britt Festival Orchestra. He holds Master’s and Graduate Diploma degrees from the New England Conservatory.
Best wishes to GRSMA's four new musicians!