PROGRAM
Symphony No. 2 in D Major Joseph Bologne, I. Allegro Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799)
Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins Johann Sebastian Bach and Orchestra, BWV 1043 (1685-1750)
Vivace
Largo ma non tanto
Allegro
Esther Kim, violin
Joyce Kim, violin brief intermission –
Overture to Le nozze di Figaro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Symphony No. 1 in C Major, op. 21 Ludwig van Beethoven
Adagio molto – Allegro con brio (1770-1827)
Andante cantabile con moto
Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace
Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace
Please silence cell phones before the concert. Recording, Taping, Photographing are strictly prohibited.
Esther Kim, Violin
Esther Kim is a senior at the University of Richmond, double majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Music. Originally from Yorktown, Virginia, Esther began learning the violin at age 13, following her mother’s suggestion to serve in the church orchestra. Her passion for using music as a service and communication has shaped her musical journey ever since.
Esther's commitment to music is evident through her high school experience with the W-Quartet, a chamber group she co-founded. e ensemble performed at senior care facilities, nursing homes, homeless shelters, and community events in Williamsburg, bringing music to underserved communities. Aer initially pursuing violin under the guidance of Dr. Ara Gregorian, Esther took a break but reconnected with her passion for music when she entered college. She has since studied under Susy Yim throughout her college years.
Esther has performed in various settings, including solo recitals, chamber ensembles, and orchestral concerts. She is currently a member of the University of Richmond Chamber Ensembles, directed by Dr. Joanne Kong, and the University Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Naima Burrs. Her performance background includes a solo debut at Carnegie Hall in April 2018, aer placing frst in the International Young Artists Competition. She has also been a guest soloist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at the Sandler Center and performed at the York Minster Presbyterian Church. Her accolades include awards in the Lions Club Bland Music Competition and the Williamsburg Concerto Competition.
Esther’s musical training extends to masterclasses with renowned violinists Xiao-Dong Wang, Hyejin Kim, and Dr. Anyango YarboDavenport. She has participated in programs such as the ECU Chamber Music Summer Institute and the Philadelphia
International Soloist Ensemble. Additionally, she has performed in side-by-side concerts with the ECU Four Seasons Next Generation ensemble.
Esther is currently working on her senior music capstone project, which explores the therapeutic role of music in healthcare settings. As part of this project, she volunteers as a violinist at a hospice and support center, providing comfort to patients and their families through music. Looking ahead, Esther plans to take a gap year to work as a medical scribe and continue her musical volunteer efforts before applying to medical school.
Joyce Kim, Violin
Joyce Kim is currently a sophomore at the University of Richmond, where she plans on pursuing a major in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and a minor in Music. Born in Pennsylvania, Joyce began playing the violin at the age of seven, sparking a lifelong passion for music. She continued to play the violin as a hobby when she moved to Korea during middle school, where she studied under violinist Choi Hye-jeong. During this time, she was also an active member of the Anyang Youth Orchestra and was selected to perform in international and national events such as the Asia Pacifc Activities Conference Orchestra and the National Honor Festival in Korea.
In high school, Joyce’s commitment to music extended beyond performance. As a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, she demonstrated leadership by founding a music club. She organized the club to bring together fellow musicians, arranging and performing pieces at local nursing homes to share music with the community.
At the University of Richmond, Joyce has continued to refne her musical skills through violin lessons under the guidance of Suzy
Yim and Dr. Joanne Kong. She also has had the opportunity to participate in masterclasses with acclaimed musicians, including Dr. Anyango Yarbo-Davenport and Dr. Christoph Wagner.
Beyond her musical pursuits, Joyce is also committed to her goal of attending dental school. She balances her academic and musical life with practical experience, working as a dental assistant during the semester. She hopes to spend the rest of her time at the University of Richmond integrating her passions for both music and science.
Naima Burrs, Conductor
Naima Burrs, D.M.A, a violinist and conductor from Richmond, VA, has performed as a section violinist with many ensembles, including the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, and the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra as well as serving as principal second violin with Opera on the James and as concertmaster of Summer Garden Opera. Burrs was selected as a participant in the Conducting Academy of the Domaine Forget International Music Festival (Québec, Canada), where she studied with Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin, music director of the Metropolitan Opera House and Philadelphia Orchestra. In January of 2022, Burrs was appointed Music Director of the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra and concluded her tenure aer two exciting seasons, in 2024.
Burrs has collaborated with prominent local and international solo artists, including pianist Joanne Kong, clarinetist LeTriel White, violinist Anyango Yarbo-Davenport, and cellist Christoph Wagner. In August 2022, she became a member of the University of Richmond's faculty, where she also currently leads the University of Richmond Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, Burrs made her guest conducting debut with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and in the same year, was appointed as the Youth Concert conductor with
the National Philharmonic, leading eight performances for their educational series at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD. Most recently, Burrs made her conducting debut with the Richmond Ballet, leading the Richmond Symphony in six performances for the annual presentation of e Nutcracker. During the 2024-2025 season, she will lead the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and the National Philharmonic in mainstage performances.
Naima Burrs serves as the Director of Orchestral Activities at Virginia State University (Petersburg, VA) and has previously contributed to the faculties of Longwood University (Farmville, VA) and Hampden-Sydney College (Hampden Sydney, VA). Burrs holds degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University (B.A. in music), the University of Northern Iowa (M.M. in violin performance), and the Catholic University of America (D.M.A. in instrumental conducting).