News and Views
March 25, 2018
Thank you to Tom Spitz and the WIO National Anthem Ensemble for a wonderful performance of the Star Spangled Banner at the March 25th Milwaukee Admirals Hockey Game. Take a listen, and the Admirals won!!!!
WIO performs at the Generations United Global Conference
June 15, 2017
WIO was honored to perform at the Awards Luncheon for the Generations United Global Conference. This years conference was held at the downtown Milwaukee Hyatt. The organization provides leadership and service to intergenerational advocates around the world.
Meet WIO's Assisting Young Artist Julian Rhee
Julian Rhee, Violin
At age sixteen, Julian Rhee is already making his mark on the musical world. Julian is the winner of the 2017 Arthur J. and Glenna B. Collins Scholarship of the American Opera Society of Chicago, the First Prize winner of the 2017 Society of American Musician Young Artist Competition, First Prize winner of the 2017 DuPage Symphony Orchestra Competition of Illinois, First Prize winner of the 2017 West Suburban Symphony Orchestra solo Competition of Chicago, First Prize winner of the 2017 Civic Music Association of Milwaukee Scholarship Competition, First Prize winner of the LaCrosse Symphony Orchestra Rising Star Concerto Competition and the First Prize winner of the 2017 Madison Bolz Young Artist, The Final Forte Competition where he performed the first movement of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto at Overture Hall and broadcast live on Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) and Television (WPT).
Among his other First Prize accomplishments are: 2016 MTNA National Senior Strings Competition; Grand Prize winner of the 2015 Milwaukee Symphony Young Artist Competition; 2015 Madison Symphony Orchestra Bolz Final Forte; 2015 Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition; 2015 Milwaukee Youth Senior Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition; 2015 Concord Chamber Orchestra Competition; Overall Junior Division of the 2013 Walgreens National Concerto Competition; 2012 & 2013 Sejong Music Competition of Chicago; 2011 & 2013 Madison Symphony Orchestra Youth Competition; MYSO Philharmonia and Sinfonia Concerto Competition; Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Bach Double Competition at age 7 where he performed side by side with the MSO. Julian was the youngest semifinalist of the 2016 William C. Byrd International Competition, two-time semifinalist of the 2016 & 2013 Stradivarius International Violin Competition, the latter at age 12 as the youngest competitor, 2015 Johansen International Competition, and 2015 Cooper International Competition.
Julian has been featured as a soloist with numerous orchestras including the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in their 2016-2017 Concert Season performing the entire Brahms Violin Concerto, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in their 2016 Concert Season, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, LaCrosse Symphony Orchestra, West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, Fox Valley Orchestra of Illinois, Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra, Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra, Concord Chamber Orchestra and many more. He has played in master classes given by renowned artists such as Andres Cardenes, Pinchas Zuckerman, Glenn Dicterow, Ida Kavafian, Alexander Sitkovetsky, Frank Almond, Roland Vamos, David Kim, Rachel Barton and Midori Goto.
Julian shares his passion for music by serving in the local community as an assisting artist and mentor of the Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra, providing leadership in this newly formed organization. He is the Class President of his High School and studies the violin with Almita Vamos and Hye-Sun Lee at the Music Institute of Chicago.