Jennifer Koh Named Artistic Director of Fortas Chamber Music Concerts
The Curtis alumna (Violin '02) and GRAMMY Award-winning violinist takes on exciting role at the Kennedy Center
This week, Deborah Rutter and the Kennedy Center announced that Curtis alumna Jennifer Koh (’02) has been appointed artistic director of the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts. Ms. Koh steps into the role following the late Joseph Kalichstein, who passed away in March 2022. Her appointment, effective immediately, extends into spring 2026, and her first full season of programming will be during the 2024–25 season.
Recognized for her dazzling virtuosity and technical prowess, Jennifer Koh is a GRAMMY Award-winning violin soloist, a champion for living composers, and a strong advocate for marginalized musicians in the classical music industry. Her association with the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts at the Kennedy Center began in 2013, when she presented a program, Two x Four (four works for two violins), with her mentor Jamie Laredo and the Curtis Chamber Orchestra, which included a work by David Serkin Ludwig (Composition ’01). Additionally, Ms. Koh performed the world premiere of Missy Mazzoli’s Violin Concerto (Procession) in February 2022 with the National Symphony Orchestra.
Learn more about Jennifer Koh HERE, and learn more about her appointment in The Strad.
Read a Curtis interview with Ms. Koh focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion HERE.
Visit the Fortas Chamber Music Concert at the Kennedy Center page HERE.
Photos of Jennifer Koh by Jürgen Frank, courtesy of Opus 3 Artists and Shuman Associates.