We get so much joy from hearing expressive performances from our young musicians.
For today’s Daily Joy, teenage pianist Kevin Cho is doing just that with a touching performance of Frédéric Chopin’s Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60.
Valencia, California Kevin performed on Show 389 from Merkin Hall on September 25, 2020.
Twenty-two year-old pianist Kevin Cho is from Valencia, California, and graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Medicine, Health, & Society in 2025. He made his concerto debut at the age of nine with the Los Angeles Doctors Symphony Orchestra. Since then he has been featured as a soloist with the Antelope Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Southwestern Music Festival Orchestra.
Highlights of his career include 3rd Place at the MTNA National Young Artists Piano Competition (2025), Level I winner at YoungArts (2022), 1st place at the 22nd Virginia Waring International Competition (2019), 2nd place at the 9th Yamaha USASU International Piano Competition (2019), and 1st place at the National MTNA Junior Piano Competition (2018).
Cho started his piano study at the age of four with his mother, Dr. Agnes Kim, and has been under the tutelage of Rufus Choi, Dr. Craig Nies, Dr. Heather Conner, and now Alexander Korsantia at the Yale School of Music.
Show 389 Bio (2020)
Kevin Cho (piano), 17, from Valencia, California, made his concerto debut at the age of nine with the Los Angeles Doctors Symphony Orchestra. Since then, he has soloed with the Antelope Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Southwestern Music Festival Orchestra. Kevin has placed first in numerous competitions including the Virginia Waring International Competition, the National MTNA-Kawai Junior Piano Competition, the Lansum International Competition, and the Young Muse International Music Festival. Kevin studies with Rufus Choi and has participated in masterclasses with a variety of artists. Outside of music, Kevin has a strong interest in the STEM fields.
Music has the unique ability to bring joy to our lives – especially in the hands of young people. Daily Joy is a reminder of music’s power to uplift, inspire, and unite.
Daily Joy is a project of From the Top. It began in the very early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and continues today to offer a much-needed respite from the anxiety and worry that we encounter in the world.
From the Top is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the stories and artistry of young musicians through media and leadership programs. Learn more.
From the Top is grateful to the Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation for their generous support of Daily Joy.
Have questions? Email us at info@fromthetop.org.
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Daily Joy is a program of From the Top, an independent non-profit organization that relies on support from individuals. Your support will help ensure From the Top's work of celebrating the joy, talents, and stories of extraordinary young musicians.