Finalists Announced For Opportunity to 'Play with Ray' and the LA Phil

The 3 Finalists have been announced for the 'Play With Ray' initiative - offering a violinist the opportunity to perform with VC Artist Ray Chen and the LA Phil

The 3 Finalists have today been announced for the 'Play With Ray' initiative - offering a talented international violinist the opportunity to perform Bach’s Double Violin Concerto with the LA Philharmonic and superstar violinist, VC Artist Ray Chen.

The Finalists are:

• 13-year-old American violinist Adriana Bec
• 22-year-old South Korean violinist Youngji Kim
• 17-year-old Finish violinist Laura Kukkonen

The 3 young violinists, chosen from more than 800 online applicants, will be flown to Los Angeles to attend masterclasses and concerts - with one grand-prize winner to be given the opportunity to join Ray, conductor Ben Gernon and the LA Phil on stage at the Hollywood Bowl on August 8th.

ADRIANA BEC | PLAY WITH RAY | BACH | DOUBLE VIOLIN CONCERTO | 13-YEARS-OLD

YOUNGJI KIM | PLAY WITH RAY | BACH | DOUBLE VIOLIN CONCERTO | 22-YEARS-OLD

LAURA KUKKONEN | PLAY WITH RAY | BACH | DOUBLE VIOLIN CONCERTO | 22-YEARS-OLD

“I wanted to provide people around the world a fun, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity …” Ray has told The Violin Channel.

"I couldn't think of a better partnership to help realize everyone's passion for music than the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl," the 30-year-old Australian virtuoso has said.

Applications were received from 73 different countries, with the age range of applicants spanning from 6 to 76, the orchestra has indicated.

Tarisio Fine Instruments and Bows will also be providing the winning violinist the opportunity to perform the concert on a fine Italian instrument.