The Korean Cultural Center in Belgium will present an exceptional classical music concert featuring two rising Korean cello virtuosos, Yoonsoo Yeo and Yewon Cho, in collaboration with the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia. Scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 8:00 PM, this performance launches the KCC On Stage 2026 series, which showcases Korean performing arts for international audiences. Admission is free, but reservations are required and will open at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 6, via an online link, indicating strong anticipated interest in this cultural diplomatic event.
Yoonsoo Yeo has rapidly established himself as a formidable presence in the classical music world through distinguished competition victories and acclaimed performances. He captured international attention by winning first prize at both the Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition and the Schoenfeld International String Competition in 2014, achievements that signaled his arrival as a major talent. His artistic credentials were further strengthened in 2025 when he earned third prize at the competitive Minato City International Cello Competition in Tokyo. A graduate of Philadelphia's prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, Yeo currently serves as an Artist-in-Residence at Belgium's renowned Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, where he continues to develop his craft. He performs on a rare 1934 Carl Becker cello, generously loaned by Mr. Higgin Kim, Chairman of Byucksan Engineering, through the support of Sejong Soloists.
Yewon Cho brings her own impressive artistic pedigree to the collaborative performance, having accumulated numerous accolades throughout her emerging career. She claimed first prize at the Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition in 2016, following in the footsteps of her colleague Yeo. Her competition success continued with second prize wins at the Popper International Cello Competition in 2017 and the Dotzauer International Competition in 2019, demonstrating consistent excellence on the global stage. Currently an Artist-in-Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Cho is actively building her professional career across Europe, including recent acclaimed performances at Flagey, Brussels's premier cultural venue, where she has begun to establish a strong reputation among European classical music audiences.
The Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia contributes its own distinguished heritage to this cross-cultural collaboration. Founded in 1958 and based in the Belgian city of Mons, the ensemble holds the unique distinction of being Belgium's only royal chamber orchestra, a title reflecting its exceptional artistic quality and cultural significance. The orchestra has long served as an official partner to the world-renowned Queen Elisabeth Competition, one of classical music's most prestigious events, demonstrating its central role in Belgium's musical ecosystem. Currently led by Music Director Vahan Mardirossian, the orchestra maintains high artistic standards while actively collaborating with emerging talents like Yeo and Cho, bridging established institutions with the next generation of classical artists.
The concert program has been carefully curated to showcase the technical mastery and musical expressivity of both soloists while offering audiences significant works from the cello concerto repertoire. The evening will feature Anton Kraft's Cello Concerto in C-major, Op. 4, with Yoonsoo Yeo as soloist, followed by Michael Haydn's Cello Concerto in B-flat major, MH deest, performed by Yewon Cho. Both works represent important contributions to the classical cello literature, with Kraft's composition offering elegant classical-era lyricism and Haydn's concerto providing both technical challenges and musical depth. The collaboration with the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel adds particular significance, as both cellists are products of that institution's rigorous training program, highlighting the Chapel's success in nurturing international talent.
This concert exemplifies the Korean Cultural Center's mission to promote Korean arts and culture abroad while fostering meaningful international partnerships. By presenting these accomplished young musicians alongside a respected European orchestra, the KCC demonstrates the global caliber of Korean classical music training and artistic achievement. The event strengthens cultural ties between Korea and Belgium, building on existing institutional partnerships with the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. For Brussels audiences, this performance offers a rare opportunity to witness the next generation of classical music stars before they achieve worldwide recognition, making it an essential event for classical music enthusiasts and supporters of cultural diplomacy.
