Photograph © Kirsten McTernan
You may have spotted violinist Haim Choi leading our tours with saxophonist Jess Gillam and guitarist Sean Shibe, as well as some of our Mainly Village Halls tours too. Now we’re making it official!
What does her Leader role involve?
As Leader, Haim will continue to lead many of our orchestral and chamber projects as well as having valuable input into music choices, programming direction, auditions and talent searches.
Who is Haim? Here’s a few things we think you should know…
Haim is 28 and she’s been performing with us for three years.
She’s a graduate of both the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal College of Music.
In 2022, King Charles presented her with the prestigious Tagore Gold Medal, and she was invited to perform at Buckingham Palace.
Haim is Co-Leader of the Glyndebourne Sinfonia and 1st violinist of the award-winning Salomé Quartet.
She was Music Director of the critically acclaimed London West End/Bristol Old Vic production “Dr Semmelweis” (working closely with actor/co-author Sir Mark Rylance, Director Tom Morris OBE, and composer Adrian Sutton).
She’s won national and international competitions, including 1st Prize and the Luigi Boccherini Award at the Virtuoso & Belcanto Chamber Music Competition, as a Violin & Piano duo.
Haim is the Cultural Ambassador of UNESCO Korea and enjoys teaching at Eton College and – her old stomping ground – the Yehudi Menuhin School.
Haim said, “I’m delighted and honoured to continue my work with Sinfonia Cymru as its new Leader, a role that enables me to make music with wonderful friends and colleagues, under the ethos of bringing excellent music to wide audiences. I have had a variety of memorable Sinfonia Cymru projects over the past years and look forward to many more eclectic, versatile, and creative collaborations over the next seasons.”
Caroline Tress, Chief Executive of Sinfonia Cymru, said “We are thrilled that Haim will be joining the Artistic Team as orchestral Leader. Her extraordinary talent, versatility, and passion for collaborating with like-minded musicians and ensembles of all sizes makes her an ideal fit for Sinfonia Cymru as we embark on our next musical adventures.”
Join us to welcome Haim and to hear her perform in these upcoming projects:
Autumn String Quartet
Friday 14th September – Hay on Wye & Lampeter
Wednesday 2nd October – Newport & Chepstow
We’re easing you into the autumn vibes with this programme exploring light and dark, friendship and loss. This gorgeous concert takes us from the light of Haydn’s “Sunrise Quartet” and Florence Price’s “Summer Moon” to the anguish and self-reflection of Shostakovich’s String Quartet No 11.
Ankaben: Sidiki Dembélé and Sinfonia Cymru
Wednesday 27th November – Aberystwyth
Friday 29th November – Cardiff
Saturday 30th November – Wrexham
Come feel the joy! Joyful rhythms, storytelling and uplifting songs: This powerful, entertaining 80-minute fusion of West African, classical and Celtic music sees drummer and multi-instrumentalist Sidiki Dembélé performing with his fellow West African musicians – Modou Ndiaye on kora and Mariatou Dembélé on vocals. A once in a lifetime concert as Sinfonia Cymru’s 13-piece orchestra brings you Ankaben, a coming together of cultures.
Music for the Heart – with Hyeyoon Park
Thursday 13th February – Wrexham
Friday 14th February – Aberystwyth
Saturday 15th February – Bristol
Sunday 16th February – Pontyberem
Directed by the award-winning violinist Hyeyoon Park, this stunning concert takes us on an epic journey from Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence” to Finzi’s “Severn Rhapsody”. Also featuring Fanny Mendelssohn’s impassioned String Quartet, Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte, and Sinfonia Cymru’s version of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto for chamber orchestra. Plus a chance to hear our new Leader, as Haim joins Hyeyoon to perform Shostakovich’s Duets for Two Violins!