Luminarts Cultural Foundation Announces 2022 Classical Instrumentalist Fellows

The Chicago-based Luminarts Cultural Foundation has recently announced the three recipients of its Classical Instrumentalist Fellowship. They are saxophonist Joseph Connor, pianist Qi Kong, and violinist Rannveig Marta Sarc. Each player will receive a grant of $10,000, as well as access to professional resources and additional grants for a period of ten years.

Saxophonist Joseph Connor is currently a doctoral candidate at Northwestern University, having previously also studied at Lawrence University. He has performed throughout the United States and Asia, with highlights including appearances at Carnegie Hall and Beijing’s Forbidden City Concert Hall.

Like Connor, pianist Qi Kong is also a doctoral candidate at Northwestern University, where he recently won the school's 2021 concerto competition. Prior to his arrival at Northwestern, he studied at The Juilliard School and Yale University.

Violinist Rannveig Marta Sarc received both undergraduate and master's degrees from The Juilliard School, where she also held the Kovner Fellowship. She has performed as a soloist with several orchestras in her two native countries, Iceland and Slovenia. Sarc is now based in Chicago and performs with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Symphony. She also serves as the concertmaster of the Chicago Civic Orchestra.

"Luminarts Cultural Foundation has supported the finest young artists for more than a decade," said Jason Kalajainen, the Executive Director of the Luminarts Cultural Foundation.

"This year’s Fellows add to a history of excellence and add to Chicago's unique, vibrant arts community.”