Ficocelli Trio to perform as part of Music at Noon Series

YSU’s Dana School of Music will welcome the Ficocelli Trio as the next performer in its ever-popular Music at Noon Series Wednesday, October 1, at 12:15 PM at the McDonough Museum of Art.

The Ficocelli Trio brings together three exceptional artists from different continents: Venezuelan violinist Erick Ramos, Korean cellist Heewon Jeon, and Canadian pianist Allison Hillier. Together, these three musicians from different continents demonstrate how music connects people across cultures.

Ramos began his musical journey through Venezuela's renowned El Sistema program and has since performed across South America and the United States. Currently pursuing studies at the Dana School of Music under violinist Rachel Stegeman, Ramos has won the Dana Young Artist Concerto Competition (2022) and regularly performs with leading orchestras, including the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and the CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra.

Jeon has graced concert stages across the United States, Europe, and Asia, collaborating with prestigious orchestras like the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Louisville Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. Currently pursuing doctoral studies at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, Jeon brings international experience and artistic depth to the ensemble.

Hillier has been a prominent figure in Northeast Ohio's musical community for over a decade. A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute of Music, she has performed across North America and Europe while maintaining an active teaching career. In 2019, she founded Studio Espressivo in Cleveland's Little Italy, creating a vibrant hub for piano education and live performance.

The Ficocelli Trio was formed with a mission to bring the transformative power of chamber music to Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The ensemble honors the legacy of the Ficocelli Brothers, founders of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, continuing their vision of making a positive impact on society through music and art.

The afternoon’s program will feature two masterworks of the piano trio repertoire: Haydn's spirited Piano Trio in G major "Gypsy" (Hob.XV:25) and Dvořák's emotionally rich Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor "Dumky," Op. 90. The Haydn trio, with its Hungarian-influenced finale, showcases the composer's wit and melodic genius, while Dvořák's "Dumky" presents six movements that alternate between melancholy and exuberance, reflecting the Czech composer's deep connection to folk traditions.

Entry to this event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Wick Avenue Deck (M30) for a $5 fee payable in cash only.