CelloFest: Opening Concert

About CelloFest Opening Concert
CelloFest 2026 opens with a dazzling evening featuring acclaimed cellists Desmond Hoebig, Minna Rose Chung, and Brian Yoon, joined by pianists Lorraine Min and Laura Lowen. This cello extravaganza spans centuries of repertoire, with works by Bach, Debussy, Chopin, Mehmari, Morlock, Cassadó, and Popper, to celebrate the instrument’s rich, expressive voice.

Desmond Hoebig
Desmond Hoebig is a former Professor of Cello at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and has enjoyed an international career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral principal. A prizewinner at the Munich International Competition and the Tchaikovsky Competition, he has appeared as soloist with major orchestras across North America and abroad. Former principal cellist of the Cleveland, Houston, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestras, he is also a Juno Award-winning chamber musician and a longstanding presence at leading music festivals.

Minna Rose Chung
Korean-American cellist Minna Rose Chung is Professor of Cello at the University of Manitoba and co-author of CelloMind: Intonation and Technique, an internationally acclaimed pedagogy method. An active performer and chamber musician, she tours widely with the Borealis Piano Trio and the Nacka Duo and performs regularly with major Canadian orchestras. She is the founder and director of Project Rio, supporting the Rio International Cello Encounter in Brazil, and is a recipient of multiple national awards for her contributions to performance and pedagogy.

Brian Yoon
Brian Yoon enjoys a multifaceted career as a soloist, chamber musician, adjudicator, and teacher, and serves as Principal Cello of the Victoria Symphony. He was also recently appointed as Co-Head of Strings at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. A First Prize winner of the Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition, he has performed extensively across Canada in repertoire ranging from Bach and Beethoven to George Crumb and Metallica, and has received support from the BC Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation.

Lorraine Min
Lorraine Min is a Steinway Artist and critically acclaimed pianist renowned for her poetic artistry and brilliant virtuosity. Praised by The New York Times for her “impeccable phrase-shaping and crystalline sound,” she has performed internationally in major concert halls across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. A dynamic soloist and chamber musician, Min is a prizewinner of major international competitions and is frequently heard on CBC and ABC (Australian) radio.

Laura Loewen
Praised for expressivity, virtuosity, and committed playing, Canadian collaborative pianist Laura Loewen is an extremely versatile musician equally comfortable in traditional and contemporary repertoire. Her regular duo partners include Allen Harrington, saxophone, Minna Rose Chung, cello, Colin Ainsworth, tenor, Tracy Dahl, soprano, and Monica Huisman, soprano. Dedicated to sharing her passion for ensemble playing and coaching, she is Professor of Collaborative Piano and the Vocal Coach at the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Faculty of Music.

CelloFest 2026
CelloFest is a three-day event at the Victoria Conservatory of Music featuring renowned cellists and pedagogues Desmond Hoebig (former Professor at Rice University; former Principal Cello of Cincinnati, Houston and Cleveland orchestras) and Dr. Minna Rose Chung (Professor at the University of Manitoba; co-author of CelloMind).

CelloFest begins with the Opening Concert on Friday, May 22 at 7:30 pm in Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Following Friday’s concert, Dr. Chung and Mr. Hoebig will each lead a masterclass for young aspiring cellists on Saturday, May 23 on the stage of AGPH. CelloFest concludes with a Final Concert on Sunday, May 24 featuring the participants of the masterclasses and a cello choir.

Venue Accessibility: The 900 Johnson Street entrance is wheelchair accessible at street level. There’s a drop-off zone out front, elevator access inside, and several accessible washrooms, including a gender-neutral washroom. We honour Canoo and Access 2 Passes. For priority seating or other accommodations, contact us in advance.For full details, visit vcm.bc.ca/plan-your-visit