Artists’ Profiles

John Morris Russel

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Conductor

A master of American musical style, John Morris Russell has devoted himself to redefining the American orchestral experience. Beginning his 11th season as conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the wide-range and diversity of his work as a conductor, collaborator, and educator continues to reinvigorate the musical scene throughout Cincinnati and across the continent. As Music Director of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra in South Carolina, Russell leads the classical subscription series as well as the prestigious Hilton Head International Piano Competition; he also serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, following in the footsteps of Marvin Hamlisch and Doc Severinsen. As a guest conductor, JMR has worked with many of the most distinguished orchestras in North America.

With the Cincinnati Pops, Russell leads performances at historic Music Hall and concerts throughout the region, as well as domestic and international tours—including Florida in 2014 and China/Taiwan in 2017. He is in his sixth season as Principal Pops Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and he is widely considered one of North America’s leaders in orchestral educational programming.

John Morris Russell earned degrees from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles and Williams College in Massachusetts; and has studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London; the Cleveland Institute of Music; the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado; and the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Hancock, Maine.

Changyong Shin

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Piano

Passionate, inspired performances and brilliant technique are the hallmark of pianist Changyong Shin, First Prize Winner of the Gina Bachauer International Artist Competition, Seoul International Music Competition, and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition.

In the 2021–22 season, Changyong will make his debut performing two concerts of Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 5 with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra at Lotte Concert Hall and Seoul Art Center Concert Hall in Korea. He has also given numerous solo performances throughout Asia, North America, and Europe. An accomplished chamber musician, Shin has given chamber music recitals across the United States and in Seoul, Korea, and Paris, France. He has appeared as a soloist with many orchestras, including Utah Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony, Oakland Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Korean Chamber Orchestra, as well as the Daegu, Gwacheon, Bucheon, Sendai, Daejeon, and Incheon Philharmonic Orchestras, among others.

A native of South Korea, Changyong Shin received his Bachelor of Music from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Robert McDonald. Shin also earned his Master of Music and Artist Diploma at The Juilliard School as a full-scholarship candidate and studied with Robert McDonald.