Ensik Choi

South Korea

Korean-born violist Ensik Choi’s extraordinary talent was recognized by maestro Myung-Whun Chung at his early age. He was accepted to study on a full scholarship at Crossroads High School for Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, California, studying with Heiichiro Ohyama, principal violist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Joseph de Pasquale, principal violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

While a student at Curtis, he formed the Borromeo String Quartet, of which he was a member for five years. They won second prize at the Evian International Chamber Music Competition in France (1990) and the 1991 Young Artists International Auditions in New York. Mr. Choi’s numerous concerts have included performances in the United States, Europe and Asia, including the 92nd street Y and Alice Tully Hall in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and Wigmore Hall in London.

Choi has performed at many festivals, including Spoleto Festivals in both Charleston, South Carolina and Italy; Orlando Festival in the Netherlands; Vancouver Festival in Canada; Cape and Islands Festival in Massachusetts; Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival in New Mexico; Beijing International Music Festival in China; Seoul Spring chamber music; and Just Vivace Festival in Korea.

For three years, Choi was a faculty member at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where he earned his Artist Diploma with distinguished violist Walter Trampler. He later served on the faculty at the college-conservatory at the University of Cincinnati. He is currently professor of Viola at College of Music, Seoul National University, and the artistic director for the Just Vivace Festival in Korea.