Kyle appears on Show 424, airing the week of January 2, 2023.

2023 Bio:

Kyle Ryu (cello), 16, from Burke, Virginia is currently in his junior year at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, VA. Kyle began his cello studies at the age of ten through his elementary school’s strings program. He is now a student of David Hardy through the National Symphony Orchestra’s (NSO) Youth Fellowship Program, where he also participates in the NSO Youth Fellowship Chamber Music Program.

Throughout his years of study, he has advanced to the final round of many competitions and has won top prizes in the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association (NVMTA) Concerto Competition, the Metropolitan Music Festival, and the Virginia State Competition category of the OPUS Music Competition. In addition, He has achieved high seating assignments in Virginia’s Northern Senior Regional Orchestra as well as the All- VA Orchestra. During summers, Kyle has had the opportunity to attend the American Youth Philharmonic (AYPO) Summer Strings Academy, Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, and the Bowdoin International Music Festival, where he has received instruction from world renowned pedagogues such as Steven Doane and Paul Katz.

In addition to his musical achievements, Kyle has received the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award for an accumulated 250+ hours of community service, collected primarily by performing music in nursing homes. He is also a recipient of the Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) Scholarship, and desires to pursue a career in cello performance and STEM.

Receiving the Award will allow Kyle to purchase a high-quality cello that will carry him through college and into the professional field.