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After a comprehensive application process, Yoona Jeong has been named the Reno Chamber Orchestra Assistant Conductor Fellow for 2024-2026.

 

Jeong is a conductor, violinist, and musicologist who holds a Doctorate in Orchestra Conducting from the University of Texas at Austin and has worked with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and Korean Symphony Orchestra among others.  She won First Prize at the Denver Philharmonic Conducting Competition and the Best Interpretation Prize at the 17th Khachaturian Internation Competition.

 

"We are excited to welcome Yoona to the RCO family," said Music Director, Kelly Kuo.  "Her audition with both our professional musicians and the DaMonte Ranch High School Chamber Orchestra was excellent, as was her rapport with our entire team.  We are looking forward to working with her over the next two seasons.

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Fueled by a passion for bringing music to life, South Korean conductor Yoona Jeong won First Prize at the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra Conducting Competition and received the Best Interpretation Prize at the 17th Khachaturian International Competition. This year, Jeong was among 14 candidates selected from 197 applicants from 47 countries to participate in the prestigious La Maestra Paris International Conducting Competition. She was also invited to the Järvi Academy to study with Neeme Järvi, Paavo Järvi, Kristjan Järvi, and Leonid Grin, as well as the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music to study with Cristian Măcelaru.

 

Jeong has collaborated with professional orchestras, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Paris Mozart Orchestra, and the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra. She assisted Manfred Honeck and worked with guest artists such as Lang Lang when she worked with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She also worked for the Pittsburgh Symphony’s Pops Concerts, working alongside Byron Stripling. Her talents were showcased in the documentary film "Symphonic Sketches," which selected and received nominations at various film festivals, including the Charlotte Film Festival and the Mesa International Film Festival.

 

Jeong currently serves as the Assistant Conductor of both the Reno Chamber Orchestra and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Music Director of the Slippery Rock Symphony Orchestra. Her previous roles include Music Director of the University of Texas University Orchestra and Assistant Conductor for the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

 

Jeong’s international experience is extensive, with invitations to the Pärnu Music Festival, the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the Princeton Festival, the Medomak Music Festival, and the Pierre Monteux School and Music Festival. She was also a participant in the 1st Korean Symphony Orchestra International Conducting Competition and the 11th International Conducting Competition Jeunesses Musicales Bucharest.