Youth Orchestra
Ian Cho
Ian Cho is a 17-year-old junior at Parkway West High School and is in his second season with St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. He began playing the cello at age nine under the guidance of Dr. Jun Seo and currently studies with James Czyzewski. Cho was a featured soloist with his middle school orchestra at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference under the direction of Rebecca Pantano. He has also been a recipient of the Webster University Community Music School’s (CMS) Artistic Merit Scholarship for the past four years.
Cho has performed in a variety of ensembles throughout the region, including the CMS String Orchestra, Young People’s Concert and Symphonic Orchestras, as well as the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis’s Chamber Academy and his school’s Chamber Music Club. He has been an active member of the St. Louis Youth Ambassadors Orchestra for the past five years, serving as the principal cellist during the 2025–2026 season, and enjoys participating in the Credo St. Louis program each summer.
Beyond cello, Cho enjoys playing keyboard in his church’s praise band and exploring his faith through reading and writing. In his free time, he likes spending time with friends, going to the gym, solving math problems, and playing water polo.
Cho would like to thank James Czyzewski, Dr. Jun Seo, Rebecca Pantano, Vera Parkin, Ed Sandheinrich, Patrick Jackson, his friends, and his family for getting him to where he is today. Above all, Cho would like to thank God for His faithfulness and love.
