ISU Faculty Recital March 14 with Hyeri Choi and Mark Neiwirth

Violinist Hyeri Choi and pianist Mark Neiwirth will be presented in an Idaho State University faculty concert on March 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jensen Grand Concert Hall at the Stephens Performing Arts Center. The public and university community are cordially invited to attend.

The concert will feature violin sonatas by Debussy and Respighi, and a special premiere of “Piano Sonata No. 1” by ISU alumnus Samuel Paytosh. Neiwirth will perform the new piano sonata, which was dedicated to him last year.

“It’s really fun to perform a new piece by one of our alumni,” said Neiwirth. “Sam was one of our most talented piano and composition majors, and I’m honored to be playing one of his pieces.”

Hyeri Choi is an associate professor of violin at ISU, where she coordinates the string program and directs the string division of the ISU Summer Institute for Piano and Strings. Holding a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music, she is a passionate performer and educator. Choi has been the concertmaster of the Idaho State-Civic Symphony since 2016 and plays with the Bozeman, Helena and Boise symphony orchestras. As a soloist, she debuted at Carnegie Hall after winning the 2014 American Protégé International Strings and Piano Competition.

Choi is the violinist in the Monarch Piano Trio at ISU, a member of Duo “Raon” and the Piano Trio “Dante Deo.” Choi is dedicated to fostering the next generation of musicians through her teaching and performances, enriching the musical landscape at ISU and beyond.

Pianist Mark Neiwirth received the 2018 Idaho Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. He has been an adjunct professor of piano at ISU since 2005 and previously served as chairman of the Piano Department at the Sun Valley School of Music. His international presence includes adjudicating and performing at  festivals such as MusiQuest in India and the Darling Music Experience in South Africa. He is also known for premiering numerous compositions, many written specifically for him. As the founder and executive director of Musicians West Inc., he sponsors musical events, composer commissions, student achievement exams and scholarships throughout the state of Idaho. His most recent recording with Patrick Young, “Counting Rests,” received a Silver Medal in the 2024 Global Music Awards.

The concert is open to the public. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for faculty/staff/ seniors and $6 for pre-college students at the door.