US cellist James Baik will replace Sihao He

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The Galvin Cello Quartet has announced US cellist James Baik as its new member. He will be replacing Sihao He, who stepped down from the role in early 2024 and will be joining the Shanghai Quartet in the autumn. 

The Galvin Cello Quartet, which also comprises cellists Sydney Lee, Haddon Kay and Luiz Fernando Venturelli, formed while studying at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music with Hans Jørgen Jensen. Since its formation, the group has won the silver medal at the 2021 Fischoff Competition and first prize at the 2022 Victor Elmaleh Competition, and was consequently added to the Concert Artists Guild roster.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Baik made his debut solo appearance in 2015, performing with the Houston Civic Symphony Orchestra and the Clear Lake Symphony. In 2018, he won the DePaul Concerto Competition and in 2019, at the age of 17, he won the Irving M. Klein International Competition. He has also attended the Meadowmount School of Music, the Aspen Music Festival and has been a fellow at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute. He is also a graduate of the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, and is on the Young Concert Artists roster.

As a chamber musician, Baik has performed with musicians such as Noah Bendix-Balgley, David Finckel, Wu Han, Emanuel Ax, Miriam Fried, Gary Hoffman, Tessa Lark, and members of the Tokyo Quartet, the American Quartet, the Pacifica Quartet, and the Escher Quartet.

’We are so excited to welcome James Baik as the newest member of the Galvin Cello Quartet!’, said the quartet on Instagram. ’A Colburn graduate and YCA artist, James is not only an extraordinary cellist and musician, but he also brings a special voice and dynamic energy that elevates our artistry as a cello quartet.’

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