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Media Release

For immediate release
March 30, 2005

The Banff Centre awards first Rolston Fellowships in Music

The Banff Centre is pleased to announce the first recipients of the Rolston Fellowship in Music. Duo Diorama, comprised of violinist Minghuan Xu and pianist Winston Choi, will attend the Centre’s June 2005 Chamber Music Program as Rolston Fellows. Tuition, room, meals, and a travel allowance for the three week program will be covered by the fellowship, with support from the Honens’ Artistic and Career Development Program. Total value of the fellowship is in excess of $5,000.

Violinist Minghuan Xu, a native of Beijing, is currently studying for her doctorate at the State University of New York — Stony Brook. She has won top prizes at the Midland-Odessa National Young Artist Competition, the Samuel and Elinor Thaviu String Scholarship Competition, and concerto competitions at Interlochen and Northwestern University. She has travelled extensively across China and the United States, performing with Choi and as a soloist, chamber musician, and concertmaster.

Second Laureate of the 2003 Honens International Piano Competition and winner of France’s 2002 Concours International de Piano 20e siècle d’Orléans, Canadian pianist Winston Choi is one of today’s most dynamic young artists. His CD debut of the complete piano works of Elliott Carter received a rave review from BBC Music Magazine. Choi earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees at Indiana University, studying with Menahem Pressler. He is currently a doctoral student at Northwestern University. Choi’s residency at The Banff Centre is also generously supported by the Honens’ Artistic and Career Development Program.

Partners in music and in life, Choi and Xu perform together as Duo Diorama, and are engaged to be married in August.

The Rolston Fellowships in Music were established in 2004 to mark the retirement of Isobel and Thomas Rolston, who were the heart and soul of Music & Sound at The Banff Centre for more than three decades. Their artistic vision helped to shape the Centre’s music programs into the internationally recognized, intensive professional and creative experience it has become for countless musicians at all stages of their careers. Alumni, friends, and colleagues of the Rolstons donated to the endowment, which will enable gifted musicians to take part in Banff Centre Music & Sound programs as participants, faculty, composers, conductors, or special guests. Rolston Fellows will be selected annually by Music & Sound in consultation with faculty and staff.

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High resolution, downloadable photos of Minghuan Xu and Winston Choi.