PIANO TRIO RECITAL
Wednesday April 15, 2026 | 7PM
HMUS 101
Featuring students from the SOPA Piano Dept and members of CBU Symphony Orchestra
JiYoung Francisco Vila Vanessa Fadial
Biographies
Violinist Ji Young An has established herself as a versatile performer and educator. An's professional contributions are multifaceted, encompassing both orchestral and teaching roles. An is currently serving as Acting Concertmaster of the San Bernardino Symphony, Principal Second Violin of Opera Santa Barbara, and guest Principal Second Violin of the Redlands Symphony. She also performs with other local orchestras such as Santa Barbara Symphony and Pacific Symphony. During the summer months, she is the Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Conducting Workshop and Competition. Beyond the concert stage, An is recognized for her work as a recording artist, lending her talents to the soundtracks of movies and video games, demonstrating her versatility and reach within the music industry. Equally passionate in education, An spends significant time in teaching violin to the younger generation. She is a Distinguished Lecturer in Violin Performance at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and also maintains a private studio in Los Angeles. Born in Seoul, South Korea, she embarked on her musical journey at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris in France, and further honed her craft at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, earning her Master's and Doctoral degrees on full scholarship. Her major teachers are Oliver Charlier, Guillaume Sutre and Suzanne Gessner.
Pianist Vanessa Fadial, DMA, is on the faculty of the Colburn School, was visiting professor at Pomona College and is co-chair of the piano department at the Montecito International Music Festival. She regularly performs with members of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Zipper and Thayer halls in Los Angeles. Recent performances include the Four Seasons Chamber Music Series in Berkeley, the University of Wyoming Artists Series, the Faculty Artists Series at Pomona College and a trio recital at Brevard Music Center. Contemporary music is a key component of Dr. Fadial’s repertoire: in 2022 she released the CD Americana to critical acclaim with violinist Anyango Yarbo Davenport including music by Grammy award winners Robert Aldridge and Jennifer Higdon who praised their performance as, “fearless, imaginative and masterfully versatile.” Dr. Fadial’s students have won the National YoungArts Award, the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition, the National division of the Music Teachers National Association Junior Performance Competition, and the Chopin Foundation Scholarship Award. She has prepared students to study at the Juilliard School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and Eastman School of Music, among others. Dr. Fadial is a highly regarded pianist and educator. She holds degrees from Stony Brook University, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Oberlin Conservatory.
Francisco Vila is a soloist and chamber musician renowned for his sensitivity, penetrating sound and technical mastery of his instrument. His performance career spans Asia, Europe, and the Americas, where he has captivated audiences with his artistry, depth and unique sound. Francisco’s collaborations highlight his versatility and dedication to musical excellence, performing alongside celebrated artists such as Gary Hoffman, Cho-Liang Lin, Maria João Pires, Nobuko Imai, and members of the Juilliard String Quartet, among others. His artistic journey has been shaped under the mentorship of iconic musicians, including Gary Hoffman at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium, and the legendary cellist Janos Starker at Indiana University. Making his orchestral debut at the age of 14, he has appeared as a soloist with renowned orchestras worldwide, including the Houston Symphony, the Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, the Liège Royal Philharmonic, the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, the Santander Festival Orchestra, all principal orchestras in his native Ecuador, among others. His remarkable career includes a fellowship at the prestigious Ravinia Steans Music Institute and guest artist appearances at festivals such as the Beaumaris International Music Festival, the Santander Music Festival, the Stavelot Music Festival, and the iPalpiti Festival of International Laureates. He has graced celebrated stages including Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia's Kimmel Center, Disney Hall, Japan's Phoenix Hall, and the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Aside from performance, Vila views teaching as an important aspect in music-making. In 2015, he founded the first International Music Festival of Esmeraldas (Ecuador). His mentors include Andrew Mark, Janos Starker, Sharon Robinson, Menahem Pressler and Gary Hoffman at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel where he earned an Artist Diploma. In 2012, he became the winner of the second prize of the Sphinx Competition in Detroit, Michigan. Vila also performed the premiere of the cello concerto "Espejos en la Arena" of the Mexican composer Arturo Márquez, in the United States. Through his expansive career and commitment to musical excellence, Francisco has solidified his position as one of the preeminent performers of his generation, captivating audiences across the world’s most illustrious stages. He performs on a cello made by Vincenzo Panormo in 1790 and the "ex-Janos Starker" Edward Tubbs bow.
Program
Trio in B major, Op. 8……………………………………………….. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Allegro con brio
Scherzo
Adagio
Allegro
Intermission
Trio in d minor, Op. 49……………………………………………... Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Molto allegro e agitato
Andante con moto tranquillo
Scherzo: Leggiero et vivace
Finale: Allegro assai appassionato
Ji An (violin), Francisco Vila (cello), Dr. Vanessa Fadial (piano)
Visit the SOPA website for a full list of events at: calbaptist.edu/sopaevents