Julin Cheung Named Assistant Principal Flute/Piccolo of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Award-winning Curtis student Julin Cheung has been named assistant principal flute/piccolo of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO), effective April 2025. The 17-year-old flutist from Seattle was featured in the Vancouver Sun about his life, education, blind audition with the VSO, and recent appointment as the orchestra’s youngest member in its 105-year history. Mr. Cheung, who was recently spotlighted in an expansive photo essay in the New York Times, began lessons at age six and joined the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra at nine. He entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2020 and currently studies flute with Jeffrey Khaner as the Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest Fellow.

“First of all, we’re thrilled to have been able to offer Julin a permanent place in our orchestra,” said Angela Elster, president and CEO of the VSO. “There was a 100 percent consensus that whoever this person behind the barrier was the chosen one. As I get to know Julin, I see he’s truly passionate about music,” Elster continues. “I spoke with him on Saturday about how thrilled we are to have a 17-year-old join us—he’ll be 18 by the time he joins us because he has to finish his Grade 12 exams.”

Read the Vancouver Sun article HERE and watch a clip about Mr. Cheung’s appointment through CBC Vancouver below.

Mr. Cheung was featured on Season 18, episode 2 of WHYY’s On Stage at Curtis. Learn more HERE.

Photos of Julin Cheung courtesy of Nichole MCH Photography.