Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 08/30/2022
(WAYNE, PA) -- Tenafly NJ violinist Ria Kang took top honors in the Under-13 Age Division with a precociously polished performance at the Philadelphia International Music Festival Concerto Competition this summer at historic Valley Forge Military Academy & College in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
The 6-year-old dazzled the judges and demonstrated skill and technique well beyond her years on the first movement, “Allegro,” of J.S. Bach’s Violin Concerto in A minor, BMW 1041. The incoming second-grader at Walter Stillman Elementary School is continuing her study of the work.
“I’m working on the same piece still, but now it’s the third movement,” Ria explained weeks after winning first place at the prestigious festival. “The second movement makes me feel happy when I play it, and also a little bit sad at times because it has these melodic parts that do that. I like the slow parts because I can sort of feel the music more.”
With the win, Ria earned a substantial scholarship to PIMF’s 14-day Violin Intensive next summer and a featured performance on PIMF’s YouTube channel (shown above). She’ll also take the stage in the annual PIMF Winners Circle Concert with members of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
The adjudication panel for PIMF’s July Concerto Competition consisted of: Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violin of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Philadelphia International Music Festival; Priscilla Lee, Associate Principal Cello of The Philadelphia Orchestra; and Grammy-nominated pianist Dr. Mark Livshits.
A host of principal players and other members of The Philadelphia Orchestra make up the faculty at PIMF’s summer program and were a big draw for the young violinist as well as for students who flock to it from all over the world. Ria was one of the youngest musicians ever to attend the program.
“I don’t use the word ‘prodigy’ often. Every young musician that has attended PIMF over the past 25 years has demonstrated a prodigious work ethic and dedication,” said PIMF president Sandy Marcucci. “But it is certainly rare to see the skill level Ria already demonstrates at such a tender age - as well as her joy in sharing it!”
Ria’s mother, Nicole Kim, said that after spending almost half of the two-and-a-half years she’s been studying violin playing to a screen - her daughter relished the camp’s ample performance opportunities. “She started violin right before the pandemic hit,” Ms. Kim related, “and she did a couple of months in person but during the pandemic she had only online lessons for a year. She resumed in-person lessons in June last year. It was hard.”
Her mom has already suggested that perhaps Ria could double major in college, but Ria is firm about her intention to be a full-time musician: “I’m never going to stop!” she said – already setting her sights on Juillard or Curtis.
The Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF) is a resident summer music program directed by Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violin of The Philadelphia Orchestra, offering student musicians from around the world the unique opportunity of spending up to four weeks immersed in music education and performance training with members of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra.
PIMF faculty included this year the following members of The Philadelphia Orchestra (amongst a host of others): David Kim, Concertmaster; Marc Rovetti, Assistant Concertmaster; Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violin; Hai-Ye Ni, Principal Cellist; Priscilla Lee, Associate Principal Cello; Nathaniel West, Acting Assistant Principal Bass; Patrick Williams, Associate Principal Flute; Ricardo Morales, Principal Clarinet; Mark Gigliotti, Co-Principal Bassoon; Jeffrey Lang, Associate Principal Horn; Matthew Vaughn, Co-Principal Trombone; and Angela Zator Nelson, Associate Principal Timpani. Boris Allakhverdyan, Principal Clarinet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic is also on faculty each summer.
EVENT PREVIEWS
MPAC presents Darren Criss on July 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss returns to Mayo Performing Arts Center for an all-new solo show on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. Since bursting onto the pop-culture landscape over a decade ago in Fox's hit TV show Glee, Darren Criss has embodied the kind of kaleidoscopic artistry that's entirely uninhibited by form or genre.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Bell Bottom Blues on July 10th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Bell Bottom Blues returns to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, July 10, 2026. The band was formed in 2007 with the vision of providing an audience with a true Eric Clapton Experience. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Basie Center to Honor Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52s, Dramarama on Walk of Fame
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts will honor Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52s and Dramarama by welcoming them onto its Walk of Fame. Pierson and Schneider will be inducted during a special ceremony on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 12:00pm, outside the historic theater in Red Bank, ahead of The B-52s’ concert at ParkStage in Freehold on Saturday, July 11. Dramarama, also performing at that concert, will be presented with a commemorative plaque at the show.
Asbury Lanes presents There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) on July 11th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) will perform at Asbury Lanes on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Doors open at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.
Newton Theatre presents Dio Rules: Tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath & Dio on July 11th
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Albert Music Hall's Bluegrass Fest on Saturday Celebrates Music and the Community Behind It
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2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12
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bergenPAC presents Warrant on July 12th
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Warrant on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. The California band first hit it big in 1989 with their album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich.
Benson Boone to Perform at Prudential Center on July 13th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Benson Boone brings his 2026 U.S. Wanted Man Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. Last year, Boone received his first GRAMMY® nomination for Best New Artist at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards, where Boone delivered a show-stopping performance of his breakthrough smash "Beautiful Things."
Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey alt rock/pop-punk band Good Damage will return to the House of Independents on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 supporting American Vanity and Faded 2 Gray. This will be the band's third time playing the venue. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 8:00pm.
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