Members of the Corigliano Quartet

MELIA WATRAS, viola

Described as “staggeringly virtuosic” by The Strad, violist Melia Watras has been hailed by audiences and critics alike for her electrifying and vibrant performances. She has long been at the forefront of the American new music scene, performing numerous commissions and world premieres as soloist and chamber musician. Ms. Watras’s debut solo CD, Viola Solo, was released by Fleur De Son (www.fleurdeson.com), and earned high praise from the media. Strings remarked, “Watras is a young player in possession of stunning virtuosic talent and deserving of the growing acclaim.” The Strad called her “excellent” and “authoritative,” while the American Record Guide proclaimed, "Watras is a terrific violist." Watras studied with Atar Arad at Indiana University, where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and was awarded the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. While at Indiana, she served as Arad’s assistant for many years, and was a member of the faculty as a Visiting Lecturer. Ms. Watras currently serves as Assistant Professor of Viola at the University of Washington School of Music, where she teaches viola and chamber music. For more information on Melia Watras, please visit www.meliawatras.com.

AMY SUE BARSTON, cello

Praised as "passionate and elegant" by The New York Times, cellist Amy Sue Barston has performed as soloist on stages throughout the world, including Carnegie Hall, Ravinia, Caramoor, Bargemusic, Haan Hall (Jerusalem), The Power House (Australia), and Prussia Cove (England). She has performed Osvaldo Golijov's Omaramor in twenty international cities, receiving twenty consecutive standing ovations. Of the world premiere of Ned Rorem's Aftermath at Ravinia, The Chicago Sun-Times wrote: "the deep, rich tones of Barston's cello haunted the vocal line like a sorrowing vision." At seventeen she appeared as soloist with the Chicago Symphony on live television, won Grand Prize in the Society of American Musicians' Competition, and has since performed as soloist with dozens of orchestras. In 2007 alone she gave thirty solo recitals and masterclasses, spanning from New York to New Zealand. She studied with Eleonore Schoenfeld at USC where she won the “Most Outstanding Graduate Award,” and Joel Krosnick at Juilliard, where she earned her Masters degree and is frequently Guest Faculty. Amy is a devoted teacher; students commute hundreds of miles for lessons and occasionally come from as far as Alaska and Japan. For more information on Amy Sue Barston, please visit www.amybarston.com.

LINA BAHN, violin

Violinist Lina Bahn has been called “brilliant” and “lyrical” by the Washington Post and is an acclaimed interpreter of new music. Along with her career in the Corigliano Quartet, she plays in the Verge Enesemble of the Contemporary Music Forum, the oldest contemporary music ensemble in Washington D.C., and resident ensemble of the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Ms. Bahn has appeared as soloist with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, La Orquesta Sinfonica de la Serena (Chile), and the Malaysian National Symphony Orchestra. From 1992-1994 she was a member of the Bahn-Mahave-Browne piano trio, and toured extensively throughout Chile with the as a recipient of a national arts award. Her undergraduate training was completed under the tutelage of Dorothy Delay at the Juillliard School, under Paul Kantor at the University of Michigan, and her Doctorate of Music degree from Indiana University while studying with Miriam Fried.

MICHAEL JINSOO LIM, violin

Violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim enjoys a dynamic musical career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral performer, recording artist, and teacher. In addition to his work in the Corigliano Quartet, he is in demand as a performer of new and experimental music. Lim is a member of Open End, a new music and improvisatory group, and holds a first violin position in the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Mr. Lim’s solo engagements have included appearances with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the International Chamber Orchestra of Girona, Spain, the Indiana University Philharmonic, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra as well as a performance in Weill Recital Hall for a tribute concert for celebrated American composer John Corigliano. Lim studied at Indiana University with the legendary violinist and teacher Josef Gingold. While at Indiana, he won First Prize in the school’s Violin Concerto Competition and served on the faculty as a Visiting Lecturer. He currently serves on the faculty of both Cornish College of the Arts and the Seattle Conservatory. For more information on Michael Jinsoo Lim, please visit www.michaeljinsoolim.com

current: August 2007