Kenneth Liao, violin & Igor Pandurski, piano @ The Athenaeum

Violinst Kenneth Liao will perform the first half of the program unaccompanied, and his San Diego Symphony violin colleague Igor Pandurski will join him for the second half, but on piano.

Violinist Kenneth Liao joined the San Diego Symphony in 2019 after spending two seasons as a Fellow with the New World Symphony. Born in Maryland, Mr. Liao received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Southern California, where he studied with Midori Goto, and subsequently completed a Master of Music degree at The Juilliard School under the tutelage of David Chan.

Prior to moving to San Diego, Mr. Liao served as acting associate concertmaster of the Des Moines Metro Opera, and also performed as concertmaster with the New World Symphony, Juilliard Orchestra, Pacific Music Festival and the Academy Festival Orchestra at the Music Academy of the West. He has been a substitute musician with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Britt Festival Orchestra, and appeared in ensemble and solo performances at venues including Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Hall, the Kennedy Center, Suntory Hall and Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara, among others.

Mr. Liao was previously a recipient of a Nicoló Amati violin for several years from the Stradivari Society of Chicago, which led to numerous performance opportunities throughout the country. In addition to orchestral playing, Mr. Liao also loves playing chamber music and teaching. While a fellow at the New World Symphony, he had the opportunity to mentor local high school music classes, sectionals and side-by-side performances in addition to building a private studio in South Beach.

San Diego Symphony Orchestra violinist Igor Pandurski began violin study in his native Croatia, receiving a Bachelor’s degree from the Zagreb Music Academy in what was then Yugoslavia. He went on to study with Camilla Wicks at the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University, earning a Master’s degree in violin performance. During his time in Texas Mr. Pandurski performed with the Houston Ballet Orchestra and the Houston Pops Orchestra.

As a former member of Zagreb Philharmonic, Gaudeamus Chamber Orchestra and the Bergen Philharmonic (Norway), Igor Pandurski toured Europe, the USA and Japan. He also performed with the Zagreb Symphony Orchestra, Zagreb Opera and the Zadar Chamber Orchestra.

Since arriving in San Diego, Mr. Pandurski has been at various times a member of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra and the San Diego Opera orchestra. He is a very active recording artist as well as an in-demand chamber musician, performing locally with such groups as Luscious Noise. He has been a member of the SDSO for over 20 years.

Free concerts at noon every Monday from fall through spring . . . no wonder the Mini-Concerts are the longest-running and one of the most popular classical music series at the library! This series was founded by Glenna Hazleton in 1970 at the Athenaeum, and has been going strong ever since. The concerts feature both local and touring musicians, prize-winning students, university music faculty members, local chamber ensembles. . . and the repertoire also includes jazz, folk and world music. There are no reservations, no tickets . . . just line up at the side door of the Athenaeum before noon. (Donations are always welcome!) Mini-Concerts take place every Monday at noon and last about an hour.

The concerts will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for these events. Doors open at 11:50 a.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. These events will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of each concert