Joan Kwuon
Violin Concerto Faculty | Violinist
Joan Kwuon
Violin Concerto Faculty
Violinist
Biography
American violinist Joan Kwuon is acclaimed for her commanding interpretations, graceful flair, and deeply communicative artistry. Her performances span an impressive range of musical styles, from Bach and Beethoven to Stravinsky and Takemitsu. She made her Tanglewood Music Festival debut at the invitation of Sir André Previn and her Lincoln Center recital debut at Alice Tully Hall the following season. Since then, Kwuon has appeared with major orchestras across North America, Europe, and Asia, earning recognition from The Today Show, CBS News, Lifetime Television, and NPR for her virtuosity and radiant stage presence.
Kwuon toured the United States performing Mozart Violin Concerti with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Charles Dutoit and Matthias Bamert. She has also performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and André Previn, and appeared at Carnegie Hall with the Prometheus Chamber Orchestra. Recent highlights include concerto performances with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Venezuela, Bilkent Symphony (Turkey), Festival Internacional Cervantino (Mexico), Chautauqua Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Reno Chamber Orchestra, and Janáček Philharmonic.
She made her Metropolitan Museum recital debut in 2006 and returned in 2008 to perform with André Previn. Kwuon has appeared at Ravinia, Caramoor, and San Francisco Performances, collaborating with Cho-Liang Lin, Jaime Laredo, Sharon Robinson, the Juilliard String Quartet, Bright Sheng, and Tony Bennett. Born in Los Angeles, she studied with Miriam Fried, Joel Smirnoff, and Donald Weilerstein. Kwuon has taught at The Juilliard School and currently serves on the violin faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Career Highlights
Awards & Recognition
- Acclaimed for commanding interpretations, graceful flair, and communicative artistry
- Featured on The Today Show, CBS News, Lifetime Television, and NPR
International Performances & Collaborations
- Debuted at Tanglewood Music Festival (invited by Sir André Previn) and Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center
- Performed with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Charles Dutoit and Matthias Bamert
- Appeared with London Symphony Orchestra, Prometheus Chamber Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Venezuela, Bilkent Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Janáček Philharmonic
- Collaborated with Cho-Liang Lin, Jaime Laredo, Sharon Robinson, Juilliard String Quartet, Bright Sheng, Tony Bennett
- Performed at Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Museum, Ravinia, Caramoor, San Francisco Performances
Teaching & Mentorship
- Faculty at Cleveland Institute of Music
- Former faculty at The Juilliard School
- Mentored students performing at national and international levels
Masterclass with Joan Kwuon
American violinist Joan Kwuon is acclaimed for her commanding interpretations, graceful flair, and deeply communicative artistry. She has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Museum, and with leading orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, London Symphony, and Orquesta Sinfónica de Venezuela. A versatile performer, she has collaborated with artists including André Previn, Cho-Liang Lin, and the Juilliard String Quartet.
Specializations
Violin solo and chamber repertoire, Orchestral collaboration, Contemporary and classical interpretation, Performance technique
Teaching Philosophy
Encourages students to combine technical mastery with expressive communication, nurturing musical individuality, stylistic understanding, and confident, engaging performances.