Ficocelli Trio to perform at Music at Noon series

The Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University presents the Ficocelli Trio in concert at 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the McDonough Museum of Art. This free concert, part of the Music at Noon series, will feature an international ensemble of accomplished musicians performing beloved works by Haydn and Dvořák.

The Ficocelli Trio brings together three exceptional artists from different continents: Venezuelan violinist Erick Ramos, Korean cellist Heewon Jeon and Canadian pianist Allison Hillier. Together, these three musicians from different continents demonstrate how music connects people across cultures.

The program will feature two masterworks of the piano trio repertoire: Haydn's spirited Piano Trio in G major "Gypsy" (Hob.XV:25) and Dvořák's emotionally rich Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor "Dumky," Op. 90. The Haydn trio, with its Hungarian-influenced finale, showcases the composer's wit and melodic genius, while Dvořák's "Dumky" presents six movements that alternate between melancholy and exuberance, reflecting the Czech composer's deep connection to folk traditions.

About the Artists
Erick Ramos began his musical journey through Venezuela's renowned El Sistema program and has since performed across South America and the United States. Currently pursuing studies at YSU's Dana School of Music under violinist Rachel Stegeman, Ramos has won the Dana Young Artist Concerto Competition (2022) and regularly performs with leading orchestras, including the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra.

Heewon Jeon has graced concert stages across the USA, Europe, and Asia, collaborating with prestigious orchestras including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, and Richmond Symphony Orchestra. Currently pursuing doctoral studies at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, Jeon brings international experience and artistic depth to the ensemble.

Allison Hillier has been a prominent figure in Northeast Ohio's musical community for over a decade. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute of Music, she has performed across North America and Europe while maintaining an active teaching career. In 2019, she founded Studio Espressivo in Cleveland's Little Italy, creating a vibrant hub for piano education and live performance.

The Ficocelli Trio was formed with a mission to bring the transformative power of chamber music to Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The ensemble honors the legacy of the Ficocelli Brothers, founders of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, continuing their vision of making a positive impact on society through music and art.

Admission is free and open to the public as part of the Dana School of Music's Music at Noon Concert Series.

The McDonough Museum of Art is located on the campus of Youngstown State University. Parking is available in the Wick Avenue Deck (M30) for a $5 cash fee.

For more information, contact Katie Merrill, Cliffe College Coordinator of Community Engagement and Events, at 330.941.2307 or kamerrill@ysu.edu.