Heifetz International Music Institute Names Ensemble-in-Residence for 2023

The three players who comprise the ensemble are violinist Fiona Khuong-Huu, violist Joseph Skerik, and cellist Boubacar Diallo

The Heifetz International Music Institute recently named the three players who will make up its 2023 Heifetz Ensemble in Residence (HEIR).  Fiona Khuong-Huu (violin), Joseph Skerik (viola), and Boubacar Diallo (cello) are all alumni of the Heifetz Institute's summer program, an intensive school for string players aged between 8 and 30. They have also participated in the Institute's Heifetz on Tour program, which sees them gain real-world performing experience as well as a variety of outreach opportunities.

As part of their residency, the 2023 HEIR ensemble has been studying, rehearsing, and performing with Ilya Kaler — who is thus far the only violinist to have received the Gold Medal at all three of the major violin competitions (Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, and Paganini).

The group recently gave a public recital with Kaler and pianist Allison Freeman, with the program including works by Dohnányi, Fauré, Ysaÿe, Vieuxtemps, Debussy, de Falla, and Robert Schumann.

Based at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia, the Heifetz International Music Institute was founded by violinist Daniel Heifetz in 1996. The Institute's first summer program attracted 20 students, who were in residence for six weeks.

Since that time, the program has grown significantly, with the HEIR ensemble being just one of its newer initiatives. The program is now directed by Nicholas Kitchen, who is on faculty at the New England Conservatory and is also a founding member of the Borromeo Quartet.