The Valinor Trio—violinist Cecilia O’Malley, cellist Gabriel Raviv, and pianist Joseph Gallwas—unites three of Chicago’s most exciting young soloists under the mentorship of acclaimed violinist and educator Desirée Ruhstrat.
Known for their dynamic performances and artistic maturity, the trio’s members have performed with such eminent ensembles as the Oistrakh Symphony, Lakeview Symphony, Elmhurst Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Highland Park Strings Orchestra, SEEN Orchestra, and the TIMM Ensemble Orchestra in Todi, Italy.
As award-winning soloists, they have earned recognition from numerous competitions, including the International Young Artist Concerto Competition, multiple MTNA Competitions, the Chicago Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, the Walgreens National Concerto Competition, and the Minnesota Orchestra Competition. Over the past two years, all three members have been selected as finalists in the prestigious CSO Young Artist Competition, sponsored by the Crain-Maling Foundation. As an ensemble, they have been awarded first place in the American Virtuoso International Music Competition and will perform at Carnegie Hall in the upcoming season.
Named after the mythical realm of light in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Valinor symbolizes the trio’s belief in music’s power to transport, transform, and inspire.
A.Babadjanian, Piano Trio in F-Sharp Minor, 3rd mvt
