Faculty Artist Showcase

I. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo – Allegro molto più tosto presto
II. Rondo. Allegro

Approximate Duration: 0:25

Program Notes: Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5 (1801) is a striking work that blends lyrical expression with bold innovation. Written for the renowned cellist Jean-Louis Duport, the sonata opens with a slow, expressive introduction that transitions into a lively and dramatic Allegro. The second movement, a playful Rondo, showcases Beethoven’s mastery of melody and rhythm. The interplay between cello and piano is dynamic, allowing both instruments to shine. This sonata marks an important step in Beethoven’s development, demonstrating his growing confidence and creative ambition in chamber music.

Erin Breene is in great demand as both a chamber and orchestral musician. She is a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Lyric Opera Orchestra of OC. Ms. Breene has also held positions as Principal Cellist of San Diego Chamber Orchestra and Associate Principal Cellist with Opera Pacific Orchestra. Ms. Breene performs in the Aviara Piano Trio with her husband, Robert Schumitzky, and pianist, Ines Irawati. Their 2024 season includes performances on the High Desert Chamber Music series in Bend, Oregon, La Jolla’s Conrad series, Classics at the Merc, and more. Erin also performs chamber music on series throughout Southern California, including the Laguna Beach Music Festival, San Diego’s Art of Élan series, and Philharmonic Society of Orange County. In addition to her performing career, Ms. Breene is also a passionate educator and maintains a private cello teaching studio in Newport Coast. She received her BM degree with professor Paul Katz at Rice University’s Shepherd School, and her MM degree as a student of Timothy Eddy at The Juilliard School.

Louise Thomas has concertized extensively throughout Europe, North America, and Asia at such concert venues as the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Moscow; the Franz Liszt Academy Museum in Budapest; the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing; Walt Disney Concert Hall; and Weill Hall in NYC. Born in Ireland, Dr. Thomas studied musicology at Trinity College, Dublin. She received a German Government scholarship to study at the Hochschule für Musik in Hannover, Germany, and earned her doctorate in piano from USC with John Perry. Louise Thomas has made recordings in Germany, at the Banff Center for the Arts in Canada with Nua Nós, and has appeared on numerous live radio and TV broadcasts internationally. She concertizes regularly with violinist, Elizabeth Pitcairn, who performs on the legendary “Red Mendelssohn” Stradivarius. Dr. Thomas joined Chapman University in 2001 as the Director of Keyboard Studies. In June 2014, she was appointed Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Performing Arts, and in 2015, she was promoted to Full Professor. Most recently, in October 2024, she assumed the role of Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success.

Approximate Duration: 0:07

Program Notes: Camille Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre, Op. 40, originally composed for orchestra in 1874, is a vivid and eerie tone poem that has been transcribed for piano four hands. The piece evokes a skeletal dance on All Hallows’ Eve, where Death calls the dead from their graves to join in a wild, rhythmic waltz. The piece opens with a sinister violin solo (often imitated on the piano), followed by the driving, almost hypnotic dance. Saint-Saëns masterfully blends macabre imagery with rhythmic vitality, creating a haunting yet playful atmosphere, particularly in the playful exchanges between the two pianists.

Judy Huang, Grand Prize winner of the 2004 Carmel Music Society Competition, is known for her expressive musicality and dazzling virtuosity. Following her acclaimed debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in 2006, she has performed widely across the United States, Taiwan, and Europe. As a soloist, she has appeared with the Marina Del Rey-Westchester Symphony, Peninsula Symphony, Ventura Symphony, Redlands Symphony, and Riverside Symphony. Dedicated to chamber music and community outreach, Dr. Huang collaborates frequently with members of the Pacific Symphony and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. She holds a BA, MM, and DMA from UCLA and has taught at UCLA, Los Angeles Valley College, and the Orange County School of the Arts. Dr. Huang currently serves as President of CAPMT District 8 Orange County, as well as state chair for the MTAC Piano Concerto Solo and MTNA Student Performance Competitions, nurturing the next generation of young musicians across California.

Beth Nam has performed at prestigious institutions and venues, such as Carnegie Weil Recital Hall and Lincoln Center Alice Tully Hall, and has also won numerous competitions and scholarships including the Five Towns Music and Art Foundation Young Musician Competition and the 15th Annual Young Pianist Beethoven Competition. As an active chamber musician, she had performed extensively as the pianist of the highly acclaimed Allant Trio. Their first album, titled ‘Ignition’, was released under Sony Classical and they were also broadcasted on ABC Classic FM in Australia and WFMT radio station in Chicago. In 2014, they were invited by the Korea International Music Festival to perform Beethoven’s Triple Concerto at the Seoul Arts Center with the Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra which was broadcasted by Korea’s MBC network. Dr. Nam received the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees as a scholarship student at The Juilliard School. She is currently teaching as an adjunct professor of piano at the Biola University in La Mirada.

I. En bateau (By the Boat)
II. Cortège (Procession)
III. Menuet
IV. Finale

Approximate Duration: 0:13

Program Notes: Claude Debussy’s Petite Suite, Op. 36, composed in 1889, is a charming and vivid work originally written for piano duet. The suite consists of four movements: En Bateau (By the Boat), Cortège (Procession), Menuet, and Finale. The first movement evokes the gentle rocking of a boat, while the Cortège brings a lively procession with rhythmic energy. The elegant Menuet contrasts with delicate grace, and the Finale culminates in a spirited, dynamic conclusion. Throughout, Debussy’s exquisite use of color, texture, and harmony showcases his early mastery of impressionistic style, blending grace with subtle complexity.

Beth Nam has performed at prestigious institutions and venues, such as Carnegie Weil Recital Hall and Lincoln Center Alice Tully Hall, and has also won numerous competitions and scholarships including the Five Towns Music and Art Foundation Young Musician Competition and the 15th Annual Young Pianist Beethoven Competition. As an active chamber musician, she had performed extensively as the pianist of the highly acclaimed Allant Trio. Their first album, titled ‘Ignition’, was released under Sony Classical and they were also broadcasted on ABC Classic FM in Australia and WFMT radio station in Chicago. In 2014, they were invited by the Korea International Music Festival to perform Beethoven’s Triple Concerto at the Seoul Arts Center with the Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra which was broadcasted by Korea’s MBC network. Dr. Nam received the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees as a scholarship student at The Juilliard School. She is currently teaching as an adjunct professor of piano at the Biola University in La Mirada.

Judy Huang, Grand Prize winner of the 2004 Carmel Music Society Competition, is known for her expressive musicality and dazzling virtuosity. Following her acclaimed debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in 2006, she has performed widely across the United States, Taiwan, and Europe. As a soloist, she has appeared with the Marina Del Rey-Westchester Symphony, Peninsula Symphony, Ventura Symphony, Redlands Symphony, and Riverside Symphony. Dedicated to chamber music and community outreach, Dr. Huang collaborates frequently with members of the Pacific Symphony and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. She holds a BA, MM, and DMA from UCLA and has taught at UCLA, Los Angeles Valley College, and the Orange County School of the Arts. Dr. Huang currently serves as President of CAPMT District 8 Orange County, as well as state chair for the MTAC Piano Concerto Solo and MTNA Student Performance Competitions, nurturing the next generation of young musicians across California.

I. Allegro molto moderato
II. Scherzo, Allegro vivo
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro molto

Approximate Duration: 0:35

Program Notes: Gabriel Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15, composed in 1880, is a lush and deeply expressive work that marks a significant moment in Fauré’s early career. The quartet opens with the dramatic Allegro molto, followed by a lively and rhythmically intricate Scherzo: Allegro molto. The Andante is a lyrical and emotionally rich slow movement, showcasing Fauré’s gift for creating delicate, introspective melodies. The work concludes with a vigorous and triumphant Allegro molto, bringing the quartet to an energetic and dynamic finish. Throughout, Fauré blends Classical forms with his own unique harmonic language, offering a refined, intimate dialogue between the piano and strings.

Hailed as “lively and sensational” by Montreal’s Arts and Opinion, and “flawless” by New York Concert Review, prize-winning violinist Iryna Krechkovsky enjoys an international career as soloist, chamber music collaborator, educator, and arts executive. She has appeared on Classical KUSC, KABC-TV Los Angeles, the Korean Broadcasting System, National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting Service, and as a speaker/performer at TEDxChapmanU. Born in Ukraine, Iryna Krechkovsky attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University in New York where she was awarded the distinguished 40 Under Forty Alumni Award. She is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Chamber Music | OC where she curates the nationally recognized Pre-College Program, and is a founding member of the award-winning ensemble Trio Céleste with cellist Ross Gasworth and pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks.

Violist and violinist Sorah Myung enjoys a diversified career as soloist, chamber musician, collaborator and educator. Ms. Myung is currently a faculty member at Irvine Valley College, Vanguard University and Chamber Music OC Pre-College while she frequently plays with the Pacific Symphony and San Diego Symphony Orchestra. As part of advocacy of the next generation, Ms. Myung is often invited to judge competitions such as American String Teachers Association and Music Teachers association of California and holds a string chair position at Musical Arts Competition of Orange County. Ms. Myung received her BM from the Oberlin Conservatory and MM from the Yale University School of Music. Ms. Myung spent the summer of 2022 as Artist Faculty at Pacific Music Institute Solo & String Quartet program in Hawaii and Summer music festival at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT and performed at the Pageant of the Masters orchestra in Laguna Beach.

Erin Breene is in great demand as both a chamber and orchestral musician. She is a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Lyric Opera Orchestra of OC. Ms. Breene has also held positions as Principal Cellist of San Diego Chamber Orchestra and Associate Principal Cellist with Opera Pacific Orchestra. Ms. Breene performs in the Aviara Piano Trio with her husband, Robert Schumitzky, and pianist, Ines Irawati. Their 2024 season includes performances on the High Desert Chamber Music series in Bend, Oregon, La Jolla’s Conrad series, Classics at the Merc, and more. Erin also performs chamber music on series throughout Southern California, including the Laguna Beach Music Festival, San Diego’s Art of Élan series, and Philharmonic Society of Orange County. In addition to her performing career, Ms. Breene is also a passionate educator and maintains a private cello teaching studio in Newport Coast. She received her BM degree with professor Paul Katz at Rice University’s Shepherd School, and her MM degree as a student of Timothy Eddy at The Juilliard School.

Beth Nam has performed at prestigious institutions and venues, such as Carnegie Weil Recital Hall and Lincoln Center Alice Tully Hall, and has also won numerous competitions and scholarships including the Five Towns Music and Art Foundation Young Musician Competition and the 15th Annual Young Pianist Beethoven Competition. As an active chamber musician, she had performed extensively as the pianist of the highly acclaimed Allant Trio. Their first album, titled ‘Ignition’, was released under Sony Classical and they were also broadcasted on ABC Classic FM in Australia and WFMT radio station in Chicago. In 2014, they were invited by the Korea International Music Festival to perform Beethoven’s Triple Concerto at the Seoul Arts Center with the Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra which was broadcasted by Korea’s MBC network. Dr. Nam received the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees as a scholarship student at The Juilliard School. She is currently teaching as an adjunct professor of piano at the Biola University in La Mirada.