Saturday, February 10, 2024

The Koh Duo | 2nd Prize | Chamber Music | 10th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Eric Shih Koh and Katie Shih Koh began their studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) Pre-College Academy in 2015. Their current and former SFCM instructors include Amy Chiu (piano), Natasha Makhijani (violin), Heidi Hau (piano), and Yi-Fang Wu (piano).

As pianists, Eric and Katie have won awards for their solo, duet, and duo performances, and have been selected to perform in master classes and at music festivals.  Events include the YPSO Concerto Competition, Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition, United States International Duo Piano Competition, Chicago Duo Piano Festival - Master Class with Inna Faliks and Daniel Schlosberg, United States Open Music Competition (Outstanding Gold Medalist), United States International Music Competition (1st Place), International Grande Music Competition, Bellagrande International Music Competition, ENKOR International Music Competition, WPTA Finland International Piano Competition, International Music & Arts Society - Olympia Competition (Grand Prize), American Protégé International Concerto Competition and Piano & Strings Competition (1st Place), Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition (First Absolute Prize), US New Star Music - Two Pianists (Duet & Duo) Competition (Grand Prize) and Competition by Composer, Charleston International Music Competition (1st Prize), Junior Bach Festival, East Bay Music Foundation - Chamber Music Festival, Bay Area Creative Foundation - Creative Youth Celebration, Rising Stars Grand Prix International Music Competition Berlin, American Fine Arts Festival Competition, Golden Key Music Festival Competition, and piano competitions hosted by the Private Music Teachers Association of Iowa.

As violinists, Eric and Katie are members of the Young People’s Symphony Orchestra (YPSO), and have performed with the New England Conservatory (NEC) Summer Orchestra Institute, Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, Korean-American Music Supporters’ Association (KAMSA) Youth Symphony Orchestra, and University of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.  In addition to the violin, Eric plays piano and celeste for YPSO.  He also enjoys playing violin in the pit orchestra for musicals at The Head-Royce School.  Separately, Katie has performed with the California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) Junior High All-State Concert Orchestra.

Their early studies began at The Preucil School of Music in Iowa City, Iowa with Lauree Christman (piano) and Diane Dahl-McCoy (violin).

(1) Mozart Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 - Allegro con spirito.  
(2) J.S. Bach - Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 29 in D Major. Transcribed by Aston for Piano Duet.