Jean Park is a 15-year-old freshman at Marquette High School. She began playing piano at the age of 5 and switched to violin when she was 8. She is currently studying with Pavel Ilyashov and continues to grow musically.
Jean has gained a wealth of experience by participating in a wide range of ensembles, including her school’s orchestra, the Young People’s Concert Orchestra (YPCO), and the Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra (YPSO) at the Community Music School of Webster University. Since 2023, she has served as concertmaster of YPSO and is currently a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. During her freshman year, she was also selected for the 2025 Missouri All-State Orchestra. Under her leadership as concertmaster, YPSO was selected as a participating orchestra for the National Band and Orchestra Festival and performed a concert at Carnegie Hall in April 2025. Additionally, Jean has been continuing her chamber music studies through the Preparatory Program at CMS since 2023.
In 2023, Jean won the Strings 7th–9th grade division of the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Competition and was selected as a Rader Young Artist for the Chamber Music Society St. Louis (CMSSL) for the 2023–2024 season. During her freshman year, she was named the winner of the Rising Talents Youth Concerto Competition and made her debut as a soloist with the Town & Country Symphony Orchestra in April 2025.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Jean enjoys writing and photography. She has been involved in her school’s yearbook production since 7th grade and plans to serve as an editor starting in her sophomore year. As a member of the volunteer organizations Heartbeats Music Share and the St. Louis Youth Ambassadors, Jean has volunteered at senior living centers and other community activities, performing both orchestra and solo concerts to bring music to these communities.
Jean would like to express her deep gratitude to Pavel Ilyashov, her teachers, and her family for their unwavering support. Most of all, she gives thanks to God, believing that none of her accomplishments would have been possible without Him.