Renowned for her meticulous and highly disciplined artistry, violinist Soyoung Yoon has garnered widespread acclaim, with critics from Gramophone praising her performances as „meticulous“ and The Guardian describing them as „suave,“ emphasising the seamless integration of technical perfection in service of the music.
She is prize winner of three important violin competitions in the world, The Indianapolis International Violin Competition, the Queen Elisabeth Competition and the International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Soyoung Yoon has distinguished herself by winning first prizes at prestigious competitions like the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition, International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition, Moscow International David Oistrakh Violin Competition, and Tibor Varga International Violin Competition, solidifying her reputation as an outstanding violinist and chamber musician, earning the admiration of her peers. Her latest achievement is winning the first prize at the Tokyo Classic Violin Competition 2024.
Soyoung’s demand on the international stage continues to grow, with performances alongside prestigious orchestras worldwide. Notable collaborations feature engagements with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Prague Philharmonia, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.
Enormously talented, with a terrific temperament and a bouncy effervescent quality
The Strad
She has collaborated with esteemed conductors and musicians such as Krzyszstof Penderecki, Ivor Bolton, Maxim Vengerov, and Eiji Oue, Sascha Goetzel, Yi-Chen Lin and Michal Nesterowicz showcasing her versatility and musical prowess.
Soyoung’s role extends beyond the spotlight; she has lent her expertise as a judge in esteemed competitions like the Menuhin in Richmond, Princess Ann in Trondheim, and Prague Spring.
She’s embracing new activities by starting to add ‘Play and Conduct’, showing her adaptability and leadership in this new venture to further exemplify her divers qualities as a musician.
In addition to her endeavours, Soyoung collaborates frequently with the Korean Chamber Orchestra and touring across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Her chamber music performances have inspired audiences in renowned venues worldwide, from London’s Wigmore Hall to the Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, Zurich Tonhalle, and cities such as Beijing, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Manchester.
Currently based between Barcelona and Seoul, Soyoung’s musical journey spans formal education at the National University of the Arts in South Korea, under the guidance of Zakhar Bron at the Cologne University of Music and Dance, and studies at the Zurich University of the Arts.
With her chosen instrument, the J. B. Guadagnini violin (ex-Bückeburg), crafted in Turin in 1773, Soyoung Yoon continues to enchant audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.
