Esther Park (Violinist) - Summer 2024 Update

9th June 2024

Dear Didy,

I wanted to write this letter to thank you for the support from the Knights of the Round Table Society, which enabled me to study the Artist Diploma degree this year at the Royal College of Music. Having your support meant that I could focus on my studies and practice, and towards growing a performing career without having to worry about funding my studies which is a lot of pressure and stress as an international student studying in London.

During this Summer Term, I had the opportunity to explore a range of different forms of performance, which allowed me to appreciate the number of different career paths available to me as a musician.

I was invited to the semifinal rounds of the Young Classical Artists Trust in April, won the D’Addario String Competition at the North London Festival of Music and Drama, and prepared recordings for competitions and masterclasses over the summer and next year. I also started working more with the Philharmonia Orchestra including going on tours with them in Dresden and Athens, and now am preparing with my quartet for a music festival in Slovenia and an album recording with Apple Classical and Platoon celebrating underrepresented women composers throughout the history of music in July and started to search for a violin to acquire for my future.

During this summer, I will go back to Korea for a few weeks to see my family then come back and go to Italy for a short masterclass with a professor who my teacher recommended, and then it will be back to a busy season performing with my quartet in venues such as Conway Hall, Fidelio Café collaborating with violist Shiry Rashkovsky, St Mary’s Perivale, Clapham Chamber Concerts and more.

I wish you a wonderful summer and will let you know about any other projects or concerts that I will be performing in!

I hope to see you very soon,

With best wishes

Esther