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Charles Seo

Charles Seo is a freshman at Memorial High School in the Spring Branch ISD. He started to play the cello when he was a 4th grade and has been a member of the Houston Youth Symphony (HYS) for 6 years where is the principal cellist.

Charles was also the principal cellist in the Region 27 Orchestra in 6th, 7th, 8th and also 9th grade. This year, he was selected as the first-chair cellist in the TMEA Texas All-State Symphony Orchestra. He received honorable mentions at the Houston Civic Symphony Concerto Competition and the HYS Concerto Competition in 2008 and became the winner at both of these competitions in 2009.

In the summer of 2009 he attended the Madeline Island Music Camp and subsequently was invited to perform for the Garden of Music Concert in Minnesota. Charles also was invited by the West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM) to perform in a concert as a special guest performer with the Houston Civic Symphony.

In 2010, Charles won the Fort Bend Symphony Concerto Competition and the Houston Young Artist’s Concert (HYAC) Competition. In 2011, Charles won the Clear Lake Symphony Competition. He currently studies with Brinton Smith, the Houston Symphony principal cellist.

Charles’ Korean name is Chan Young, which means praise and glorifies the Lord God. He has been invited by many churches to perform during services and events. Using God given musical talents to bring glory to God’s name gives joy to Charles and encourages him to excel.

Outside of playing the cello, he enjoys playing the saxophone and guitar.