Meet Chad Hoopes

The Akron Symphony’s second and final Odyssey concert of 2008-2009, Fiddle Madness, will feature a performance by Chad Hoopes, winner of the first prize in the Young Artists Division of the 2008 Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition–earning him the title of “World’s Best Young Violinist.” Hoopes has been seen on national television with appearances on CBS’ Early Show and PBS’ From the Top. Locally, Chad was seen in an Emmy-winning TV commercial for the Cleveland Indians.

At only 14 years old, Hoopes has already played with some of the finest orchestras in the world, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, Cleveland Pops, South Dakota Symphony and Erie Philharmonic. Later this year, Chad will perform with the Cincinnati Pops for a recording project for Telarc.

Chad and his family reside in Northeast Ohio where he currently studies with David Cerone at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and with David Russel. Music is a family affair for the Hoopeses as Chad frequently performs in a trio with his two older sisters.

Catch Chad with noted Klezmer violinist Steven Greenman and members of Marlene Moses’ Western Reserve Suzuki School for Fiddle Madness on Sunday, March 29 at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall at 3 p.m. Tickets on sale now: $15 for adults; $10 for children under 12. Call (330)535-8131 or purchase at Ticketmaster.com.