The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Arthur D. Montzka Young Artists Concerto Competition:
2012 Winner
Claire Bourg, Violin
Playing Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
by Aram Khachaturian
February 25, 2012
Claire Bourg, 16, is a scholarship recipient and member of the Music Institute of Chicago’s Senior Academy program for gifted pre-college musicians, where she studies privately with MIC artist faculty member Cyrus Forough. She is a junior at Metea Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois.
Claire began studying the violin at age five with the Aurora Suzuki Violins where she studied with Stan Smith for several years. She is currently a principal violinist for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, first violinist in the MIC Senior Academy Chamber Orchestra, and concertmistress of the Metea Valley Chamber Strings Orchestra.
Claire has received many awards and accolades for her playing and was recently awarded first prize in the 2011 Confucius Competition, second prize and “Best Interpretation of a Korean Piece” in the 2011 Sejong Music Competition, and Honorable Mention in the 2012 Walgreens National Concerto Competition. In 2011, she was selected to perform with the Chicago Youth in Music Festival orchestra under the direction of Riccardo Muti and her string quartet was selected to perform onstage with Yo-Yo Ma at Chicago’s Symphony Center.
Claire has performed as a featured soloist and chamber musician in many camps and festivals including the Bowdoin International Music Festival, the Indiana University Summer String Academy and the American Suzuki Institute. She has participated in master classes led by Yo-Yo Ma, Phillip Ying of the Ying Quartet and the Beethoven Project Trio.
In her spare time, Claire enjoys playing golf, traveling, teaching violin, and performing in community outreach concerts.
