Hannah Ji

Violinist Hannah Ji begins the 2023/2024 season as Assistant Concertmaster of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra after serving as a member of the first violin section since 2018. Ji’s playing has been hailed by critics as “engaging, mature, well thought-out, and honed down to the finest details” (głos na Wieniawskiego, Polish Radio Journal). She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Curtis Institute of Music, studying with the late Aaron Rosand, a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School, studying with Ida Kavafian, and an Artist Diploma degree from The Colburn School, studying with Robert Lipsett. She began her musical studies at the age of seven in South Korea and previously attended Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege Division, studying with Grigory Kalinovsky.

As a soloist, Ji made her SLSO debut in October 2022 performing Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ Violin Concerto Op. 5 No. 2, conducted by Jonathon Heyward. She recently performed with the Missouri River of the Arts Festival Orchestra with SLSO’s former Assistant Conductor Stephanie Childress, and with the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra with Guillermo Figueroa. Ji’s performances have been widely publicized on NPR’s “From the Top,” Philadelphia’s WHYY, Taos’ KTAOS Solar Radio, and “Live from Lincoln Center” by PBS, which broadcast throughout North America. She performed at the United States Embassy of Canada, Canada Day concerts with Pinchas Zukerman at the National Arts Centre, with pianist Jeremy Denk for the non-profit organization, “The Art of Giving Back,” and a Gala Concert with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble at Lincoln Center.

Ji recently toured throughout Europe with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra as Guest Associate Concertmaster. She also served as Guest Concertmaster with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Associate Concertmaster with the Music in the Mountains Festival in Durango, Colorado, and with the Sun Valley Music Festival in Idaho. Ji previously served as Concertmaster and Principal Second with Symphony in C, Spoleto Festival USA, YMF Debut Orchestra, The Colburn School Orchestra, The Juilliard School Orchestra and Curtis Symphony Orchestra. Additional music festival appearances include the Artosphere Festival Orchestra, Sarasota Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, Taos School of Music, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Summit Music Festival and the National Arts Centre’s Young Artist Programme.

An avid classical and contemporary chamber musician, Ji has collaborated with renowned groups and artists such as Jamie Laredo, Jennifer Koh, Roberto Díaz, The Borromeo String Quartet, The Calidore String Quartet and Time for Three. She has worked with members of the Borromeo, Brentano, Shanghai, Emerson, Guarneri and Orion String Quartets. Ji has been an active participant in The Juilliard School’s ChamberFest and Focus! Festival, which features U.S. and world premieres of works by composers around the world. She was also a contemporary ensemble artist at Atlantic Music Festival, and performed at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Live at the Pulitzer series. Ji also performs frequently with the Missouri Chamber Music Festival, Ariel Concert Series, and the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis.

As a mentor and teacher, Ji has held faculty positions at the Bronx Conservatory of Music, Manhattan in the Mountains Festival, Curtis SummerFest Young Artists Program & Adult Chamber Music Program, and The Danbury Music Centre’s Chamber Music Intensive. She was a substitute faculty member at The Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, and currently enjoys working as a mentor through the SLSO’s Mentoring the Music: Peer to Peer program.