Cello and Piano Duo: Jia-mo Chen and Kirsten Smith

The Sacramento Community Concert Association (SCCA) kicks off its 70th Season with an exciting program of instrumental music for cello and piano, masterfully performed by two of Sacramento’s brightest musical stars.

Jia-mo Chen holds a BM degree from CSU, Sacramento and a MM degree from San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has performed in many concerts as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player in different venues throughout North America and Europe. He was a regular member of Civic Orchestra of Chicago with which he played under conductors such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Bernard Haitink, and Riccardo Muti. Right now he is a member of the Sacramento Choral Society Orchestra.

Motivated by a keen interest in learning, American pianist Kirsten Smith began part time studies at Arizona State University at the age of thirteen, studying sociobiology, history, and foreign languages.  She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees in piano performance there, studying with pianist Steven De Groote, Gold Medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. A winner of multiple competitions herself, Ms. Smith has been the recipient of awards, scholarships, and invitations to music festivals including the Aspen Music Festival, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the Van Cliburn Institute. Ms. Smith has been on the faculty of Sacramento State since 1996, where she teaches piano, music theory, aural skills, collaborative piano, and piano pedagogy. Ms. Smith resides in Sacramento, where she divides her time between university teaching, performing, and a burgeoning private studio.