Distinguished Alumni
The Omega Ensemble proudly celebrates a unique and extraordinary aspect of our legacy: Over the years, we have showcased remarkable artists who have gone on to achieve significant acclaim in the larger music world. All of our exceptional artists continue to leave a lasting impact on our community and the music scene.
Ayano Ninomiya
Violinist, Winner of the Walter Naumburg International Competition
Frank Huang
Violinist, Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
David Kim
Violinist, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Mark Kosower
Cellist, Principal Cellist of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra
Joseph Lin
Violinist, First Violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet
2011-2018
Axel Strauss
Violinist, Guest Concertmaster at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Eugene Drucker
Violinist, First Violinist of the Emerson String Quartet
Timothy Eddy
Original Cellist of the Omega Ensemble, Founding member of the Orion String Quartet
Robert Chen
Violinist, Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Rafael Figueroa
Cellist, Principal Cellist of the Metropolitan Opera
Erin Keefe
Violinist, Concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra
Frank Almond
Violinist, Concertmaster Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Efe Baltacigil
Cellist, Principal Cellist Seattle Symphony
Omega takes great pride in the success of its alumni. Below you can see some of the additional extraordinary Violinists and Cellists who played with The Omega Ensemble since 1973.
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Violinists
Robert Chen
Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Nick Eanet
Former Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Karen Gomys
Solo violinist who performs with numerous major orchestras each season
Tricia Park
Avery Fisher Career Grant Winner
Timothy Fain
Avery Fisher Career Grant Winner
Soovin Kim
Winner of Paganini International Violin Competition and Avery Fisher Career Grant
Stefan Milenkovich
Silver medal winner of the Indianapolis International Violin Competition
Philip Quint
Nominated for two Grammy Awards for his recording of the William Schumann Violin Concerto
Judith Ingolfsson
Winner of the Gold Medal at the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
Ayana Ninomiya
Prize winner in the 2003 Naumburg Violin Competition
Susie Park
First prize winner of the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition
Arnaud Sussman
Winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant Award
Erin Keefe
Winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant Award, Concert Master of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra
Juliette Kang
Winner of the Indianapolis Violin Competition
Kristen Lee
Winner of the Avery Fisher Career Award in 2015
Elena Urioste
First Prize Winner of the Lion International Violin Competition
Itamar Zorman
Top prize winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2011, Winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant Award
Alexi Kenney
Solo concerts arranged by prominent management Op. 3, Winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant Award in 2016
Dmitry Berlinsky
First prize winner of the Paganini Violin Competition, Director of the International Chamber Soloists
Colin Jacobson
Founder of “The Knights”
Robin Scott
Former Concertmaster of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Frank Almond
Concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony
Tessa Lark
Winner of the Naumburg International Violin Competition
Cellists
Clancy Newman
Winner of the Avery Fisher Grant Award and the 2001 Naumburg Competition
Rafael Figueroa
Principal Cellist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Suren Bagratuni
Winner of the Silver Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition
Alexander Buzlov
Winner of the Grand Prix at the Virtuosi of the 21 st Century Competition in Moscow
Julie Albers
Principal Cellist of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
Sophie Shao
Winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant award
Efe Baltacigil
Winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, Principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra
Gabriel Cabezas
First Prize Winner of the Sphinx Competition
Roman Mekinulov
Principal cellist of the Buffalo symphony Orchestra