Juan-Miguel Hernandez, viola
Prolific young violist Juan-Miguel Hernandez, featured in Maestro’s 2007-2008 Young Artist Showcase and recipient of the “Ron and Pat Lebel” viola made by Mario Miralles, was the first prize winner in the 16th Johannes Brahms International Competition in Austria. Miguel has also recently been signed as a solo artist, a rare honor and achievement for a violist. For more information and to watch videos of Miguel performing Brahms' Sonata for Viola and Piano Op. 120, No. 2 please visit www.hernandezjm.com.

The Saguaro Piano Trio
The Saguaro Piano Trio, featuring cellist Peter Myers (recipient of the “David Mendelsohn” cello crafted by Mario Miralles in 2001), won first prize at the International Chamber Music Competition in Hamburg. As part of its winnings, the Trio will be putting out a CD and touring Europe, with a possible tour of Australia as well. The Saguaro Piano Trio also includes previous MCMA participant and violinist Luanne Homzy and pianist John Chen.

Richard O’Neill, viola
An alumnus of the Instrument Lending Program (ILP), Richard Yongjae O’Neill is one of the few violists to ever be awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant as well as a 48th Annual GRAMMY Award Nomination. He is rising to international prominence as one of the promising young artists of his generation. Richard received his first instrument from Maestro in 1997 as a young raw talent with modest beginnings. Maestro continues to closely follow his career as a sophisticated artist. Earlier this month, Richard gave his recital debut with pianist Warren Jones at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Other recent highlights include a solo appearance with the London Philharmonic, a Live from Lincoln Center television broadcast for PBS with the Chamber Music Society, and an appearance with the Emerson String Quartet and Leon Fleisher at the Mostly Mozart Festival. In recent seasons Richard has made debuts at the world's most prestigious halls including New York’s Carnegie and Avery Fisher Halls and London’s Wigmore Hall. A UNIVERSAL/Deutsche Grammophon recording artist, he has recorded four solo albums, which have sold over 100,000 copies. Richard is a graduate of both the Juilliard School and the USC Thornton School of Music, and he serves on the faculty of the Herb Alpert School of Music at the University of California Los Angeles.

“I would not have been able to do the things I have done if it weren't for Maestro's help.” ––Richard O’Neill, violist

Paul Wiancko, cello
Cellist Paul Wiancko is scheduled to receive Maestro’s newest instrument, commissioned from luthier Mario Miralles, next fall. The new cello has been generously endowed by long-time Maestro member, Dusi Mura. Renowned cellist YoYo Ma has kindly agreed to allow Paul to use his own Miralles cello in the meantime while the new one is being built. Paul is currently completing his Artist Diploma with Ronald Leonard at the Colburn Conservatory. A recipient of the Los Angeles Spotlight Award, Paul made his solo debut at age 16 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. He also won Second Place in the Lutoslawski International Cello Competition in Poland. Maestro sponsored Paul’s solo performance of the Shostakovich Cello Concerto with the Orchestre de Bahia Symphony in 2007. For more info on Paul, please visit www.paulwiancko.com

View video of Paul performing the Shostakovich Cello Concerto with the Orchestre de Bahia Symphony: http://www.youtube.com/watch

Past Newsletters

View past newsletters by downloading the PDF documents below:

Newsletter 6 (spring 2010)

Newsletter 1 (winter 2006 - 2007)
Newsletter 2 (spring 2007)
Newsletter 3 (fall 2007), page 1
Newsletter 3, page 2
Newsletter 3, page 3
Newsletter 3, page 4
Newsletter 4 (fall 2008)
Newsletter 5 (spring 2009)

Photo Credits:
Viola Celebration: Kathryn Ballsun
Helen Kim: Kathryn Ballsun