Guest Artists
Salt Lake Symphony is committed to keeping Utah music alive by working with local soloists and composers.
Guest artists from past seasons
Igor Iachimciuc
Originally from the Republic of Moldova, Igor Iachimciuc is
currently a PhD candidate in music composition at the University
of Utah. The first introduction to music began at the age of ten,
when Igor went to study cimbalom, an Eastern European instrument,
at the music school in his native city. He moved after to the
Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, to pursue his career as a
performer. During his student years at the music college Stefan
Neaga, and eventually University of Arts, Igor collaborated with
the top orchestras and ensembles in Moldova performing music in
different genres, touring in Romania, Russia, Hungary, Finland,
Israel, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, USA, and
Serbia. Igor is a winner of many prestigious instrumental
competitions. Among them are Stefan Neaga regional competition,
and Barbu Lautaru National competition.
John Eckstein
Cellist John Eckstein joined the Utah Symphony in June,
1990. Previously Associate Principal Cello of the New Orleans
Symphony and Principal Cello of the Omaha Symphony, he enjoys a
varied musical life of orchestral, chamber, and solo playing, in
addition to his teaching duties at the University of Utah.
After graduating from the Interlochen Arts Academy, Mr. Eckstein received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music. He completed his Master of Music under the tutelage of famed cellist Raya Garbousova. Other teachers have included Steven Doane, Ralph Kishbaum, Ron Leonard, Richard Kapuschinski, and Dennis Brott.
David Cho
During his three seasons with the Utah Symphony, David has conducted
many education, Pops, outreach, and tour concerts.
In September of 2007 David was the recipient of the 1st Prize at the Eduardo Mata International Conducting Competition held in Mexico City, Mexico. This led to numerous guest conducting engagements in Europe and South America.
David attended the Tanglewood Music Center as a conducting fellow in 1999, followed by conducting studies under Larry Rachleff at the prestigious Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.