BELLEVUE SYMPHONY
SPRING CONCERT
Sunday
March 2
3:00 pm

PAST CONCERT:
OUR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED YOUNG ARTIST CONCERT...

  • SUNDAY, MARCH 2 AT 3 pm, Meydenbauer Theater
  • DAZZLING STARS OF TOMORROW: FOUR  GRAND PRIX WINNERS OF THE 3rd Annual BELLEVUE SYMPHONY CONCERTO COMPETITION
  • GRAND PRIZE WINNER OF THE 2024 RUSSIAN CHAMBER MUSIC FOUNDATION'S CONCERTO COMPETITION
  • PRESHOW CONCERT at 2 pm! Performed by six Gold Medalists from the 3rd Annual International French Music Piano Competition

March 2nd, 2025
3:00 pm
FULL PROGRAM:

JEFFREY ZHAO, piano
Chopin: Piano concerto no. 1 in e minor, op. 11, 1st movement

TIMOTHY YU, violin
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26, 1st movement

SARAH LEE, cello
Dvorak: Cello concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, 1st movement

ALEXANDER VOLLMER, piano
Prokofiev Piano Concerto no. 2 in G minor, op. 16, 1st movement

- INTERMISSION -

ALVIN LEE, piano
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G
, 3rd movement

Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 5 in E minor, op. 64

Puccini: from Turandot, Nessun Dorma
Special Guest: Michael Nim, Tenor

PLUS:  Pre-Concert show at 2 pm featuring 6 Grand Prix winners from the 2025 International French Piano Music Competition!

TIMOTHY YU, violin
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26, 1st movement

BELLEVUE SYMPHONY CONCERTO COMPETITION GRAND PRIX WINNER, JUNIOR DIVISION

Timothy Yu, age 11, received his first violin lesson from his mother at the tender age of five. He then became a member of the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2019. Timothy then became the concertmaster in the Symphonette Orchestra during the 2022-23. In 2021, he earned third place in the International Music Competition OPUS, and secured second place in the Marker and Pioneer International Music Competition. 

In 2024, Timothy continued to distinguish himself by winning the under-18 Young Violin Competition held by the Portland Chamber Orchestra. He also achieved the distinction of being a finalist in the prestigious International Anton Rubinstein Competitive-Violin Junior competition 2024. He also garnered Honorable Mention in the 2024 Washington State MTNA Performance Competition- Junior String.

Timothy embarked on a journey with Chamber Music Studies and Musicianship in Seattle Conservatory of Music 2023-24. His participation in the Seattle Chamber Music Society's Academy program in Spring/Fall 2024 further enriched his musical education and provided valuable collaborative experiences.

Under the tutelage of Professor Ronald Patterson, Timothy continues to refine his craft, following the footsteps of his previous instructor Gloria Guo, who ignited his passion for the violin. 

Timothy is a 6th-grade student at International School in Bellevue, WA, USA. Timothy is an avid reader, and enjoys playing tennis and video games.

ALVIN LEE, piano
Ravel Piano Concerto in G

3rd movement

BELLEVUE SYMPHONY CONCERTO COMPETITION GRAND PRIX WINNER, JUNIOR DIVISION

11 year old Alvin Lee is a 6th grader at Skyview Middle School in Bothell, WA. He has been an elite student of SH Youn since the age of 7. Within two months, he won his first Gold Medals at the Classical Viennese Festival and Sonafest Competition. He then won Gold and Platinum Medals from the following competitions: Virtuoso Artists Festival, Classical Viennese Festival, Pacific Northwest Piano Competition, Chopin Northwest Competition, Performance Arts Festival of Eastside (Solo, Concerto and Adjudicator’s Top Choice Award), Eastside Symphony Concerto Competition, Bellevue Symphony Concerto Competition, Russian Chamber Music Competition, Pacific International Piano Competition, 9th Annual Rome International Music Competition, Brussels International Music Competition, International German Music Piano Competition, Ravel International Music Competition, Canadian International Music Competition.

In January 2024, Alvin made his debut at Carnegie Hall. He most recently won Platinum Medal at the 2024 Pacific Northwest Piano Competition, Grand Prix at the 2024 Time Era Music Festival and Honorable Mention Prize at the 2024 Washington State MTNA Junior Piano Competition.

Recently, Alvin performed two movements of his concerto with Mukilteo Community Orchestra after winning the 2024 SCMTA Concerto Competition. Last month, Alvin won two Grand Prix awards for both solo and concerto at the 2025
International French Music Piano Competition and Grand Prix at the 2025 Chopin Northwest
Piano Competition.

Every Summer, Alvin loves spending time at his second home in Seoul, South Korea and loves international traveling and cooking. 

SARAH LEE, cello
Dvorak: Cello concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, 1st movement

BELLEVUE SYMPHONY CONCERTO COMPETITION GRAND PRIX WINNER, SENIOR DIVISION

Sarah Lee, age 17, is a Senior at Westview High School from Portland, Oregon. She currently studies with Hyun-Jin Kim. She serves as principal cellist of the Portland Youth Philharmonic and Camerata PYP.
As a soloist, her top achievements include first prizes for the National Federation of Music Clubs Mary Cox Award, New York International, State and Regional MTNA Senior String Performance Competition, OMEA State Solo and Chamber Ensemble Contest, and the Symphony Guild Young Artist Competition. She participated in the 2022 All-National Honors Ensembles Symphony Orchestra and All-Northwest Orchestra as principal.

Sarah performed as a soloist in the 100th anniversary season of PYP as the winner of the 2023 PYP Concerto Competition. She also had the privilege of being selected to perform as a soloist with members of the Oregon Symphony by winning the MetroArts Young Artists Debut! Competition.
Sarah attended renowned music camps such as the National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, International Cello Institute, Vivace International Music Festival, and Philadelphia International Music Camp & Festival.

Sarah wants to use her love of music to benefit and heal communities that have yet to experience the joys of music. She volunteers at Project Prelude and Music4Harmony to serve underprivileged communities through teaching and performance. Besides playing cello, Sarah enjoys playing piano, soccer, skiing, reading, and hanging out with her friends.

JEFFREY ZHAO, piano
Chopin: Piano concerto no. 1 in e minor, op. 11, 1st movement

BELLEVUE SYMPHONY CONCERTO COMPETITION GRAND PRIX WINNER, SENIOR DIVISION

Jeffrey Zhao is an accomplished young pianist from Bellevue, Washington. At the age of 17, he already possesses an extensive repertoire that includes many Beethoven sonatas and several complete concertos. 

Jeffrey has received over 100 gold medals, first place awards and other top honors in local, regional and international piano competitions. His most recent achievements include being selected as both the gold medalist and the most memorable performer at the 2024 Pacific International Piano Competition as well as the 2024 International German Music Piano Competition, and the first place winner of the senior division in the 2024 Bellevue Symphony Concerto Competition. Jeffrey made his concerto debut with the Cascade Symphony Orchestra in October of 2022. Other accomplishments include being selected as a finalist in the Seattle Symphony Young Artists Concerto Competition, a concerto finalist at the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival and as a finalist for both the 2023 and 2024 Chicago International Piano Competitions. Jeffrey has performed in both Benaroya Hall in Seattle and Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.

Jeffrey has studied piano with Maria Maltseva since 2014. He loves to share his passion for music and regularly performs at elder care centers. In his free time, Jeffrey skis and pursues competition math.

ALEXANDER VOLLMER, piano
Prokofiev Piano Concerto no. 2 in G minor, op. 16, 1st movement

GRAND PRIX WINNER, 2024 RUSSIAN CHAMBER MUSIC FOUNDATION OF SEATTLE

Alexander Vollmer, a 9th grader at Lakeside School, started learning piano at the age of 9. His gift for piano and his endeavors were quickly recognized and rewarded via numerous top prizes in competitions. The highlights include the First Prize in the American Virtuoso International Music Competition (2022) and the Absolute First Prize and Overall Poetic Interpretation Special Prize in the UK International Music Competition (2023), Gold Medal in the 2024 Chopin Northwest Piano Competition, Bronze Medalist in 2024 Piano Star International Competition, two Grand Prix in 2024 RCMFS Competition (solo & concerto), Double Platinum Medals at the 2024 Pacific Northwest Piano Competition, the Third Place in 2024 Elevato International Youth Piano Competition, two Distinguished Gold Medals in SIPC Classical Viennese Festival (2022 & 2023), and many others.

Most recently he won the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah and won the Grand Prix Gold Medal at the 2025 Chopin Northwest Piano Competition. He is the 2024 MTNA Washington State Senior Piano Duet Winner, and for two consecutive years a WSMTA State Recitalist Winner. Alexander has collaborated with the Eastside Symphony, TMC Orchestra, and Mukilteo Community Orchestra.

He has showcased his talent at prestigious venues such as the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, and the Beethoven Haus, Germany. Alexander was accepted into the 2023 Seattle Piano Institute. Alexander has been studying with SH Youn since 2021. 

The Sweet Sound of Bellevue Symphony...

The Beethoven Eroica Symphony was featured in the inaugural performance of the Bellevue Symphony on February 20, 2022 at the Meydenbauer Theater in Bellevue, Washington.

Also featured at this performance were award winning soloists performing first movements of favorite piano and violin concertos and a Half-Time show featuring dazzling young virtuosos.

Beethoven Symphony 3 "Eroica"
Anthony Brian Davenport, Meydenbauer Theater 
Premiered Mar 9, 2022
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Maestro Brian Davenport

Born in Walla Walla, Washington, Maestro A. Brian Davenport began his interest in music at the age of four. After obtaining his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music from Harvard, he spent three years in Paris, France, studying music under the famous Nadia Boulanger, and conducting in Monte Carlo under the tutelage of Igor Markevitch. He has conducted orchestras in countries throughout the world, including China, Scandanavia, Germany, and Ukraine. In 1990, he conducted the Federal Way Symphony in the opening sellout performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony for the Goodwill Games. He also conducted the world premiere of Handel's Messiah in Russian in the city of Kazan.

Board of Directors:
Dr. Sara Wagner, Board Member, Executive Director
Allan Park, President
Dr. Adam Aleksander, 1st Vice President
Nino Merabishvili, 2nd Vice President
Dr. Hanna Cyba, Secretary
Brian Davenport, Treasurer
Dana Davenport, Board Member, Logistics
Jeff Elwell, Board Member, Concert Manager
Kevin Burton, Board Member, Hospitality Manager

Bellevue Symphony Staff
Bob Gale, Personnel Manager
Deborah McClellan, Librarian

Advisors and Hospitality
Dr. Yelena Balabanova, Artistic Program Manager
Dr. Natalya Ageyeva, Advisor
Dr. Renato Fabbro, Advisor
Conney Vernall, Advisor
Dr. Vladimir Balabanov, Volunteer
Risa Jun, Volunteer
Mayumi Ohara, Volunteer

SUPPORT
BELLEVUE SYMPHONY

Bellevue Symphony is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your generous donation may be tax deductible. 

Please click the red DONATE NOW button (you can enter any amount) and help us keep classical music alive in the Northwest!

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Support Bellevue Symphony and Celebrate the Gift of Music!

This year, we're inviting you to share the joy and power of music with others through a special fundraising effort that allows you to dedicate a donation to someone you love—whether it's someone who introduced you to music or someone you wish to inspire with the magic of melodies.

How it works:
Make a Donation: There is no minimum donation amount—every contribution helps us continue to bring beautiful music to our community. Donate through the RED button below.

Send a Message:
Along with your donation, write a message in the comments section to honor someone. Your message might express gratitude or wish someone special the joy of discovering music—just like you did. For example: "I would like to dedicate this donation to my niece Sammi. She is just starting piano lessons and I hope she will come to love Beethoven as much as I do!"

Sharing the Gift:
For recipients still living: We’ll send a personalized certificate to their home, featuring your message. Be sure to include an address in the comments if you'd like a certificate sent! At the concert: All messages will be displayed at our March and October concert (unless you request otherwise). The monetary amounts donated will not be included.

Our goal:
Besides sharing your joy of music with loved ones, your donation helps Bellevue Symphony to expand its performance repertoire. Want to send more than one message? No problem! There is a limit of one message per donation but you can make as many donations as you'd like to send multiple heartfelt messages. There's no limit to how much joy you can share!

Thank you for helping us keep the spirit of music alive and accessible for everyone. Your support means the world to us—and to the people you cherish.

GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC NOW

OUR WONDERFUL SUPPORTERS

PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE
$2000+
DONATE
  • Allan Park
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  • H&R Block
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  • Microsoft Corporation
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DIAMOND SUPPORTERS
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GOLD SUPPORTERS
$500-$999
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  • NW Chopin Foundation
  • Russian Chamber Music Foundation
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  • Alliance Francais (In-kind)
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Ste F1, 436
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