VIOLIN 2023
Karen was born into a musical family in Los Angeles, with both her father and older sister being violinists. She began studying the violin at age 4 with her father, Elmer Su, and later with Igor and Vesna Gruppman.
Having appeared as a soloist with orchestras in North America, Europe, and Asia, highlights of Karen’s previous and upcoming solo engagements include the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, Boca de Rio Philharmonic, and Sinfonia Rotterdam, among others.
Karen has been named prize-winner in multiple international competitions, such as the Princess Astrid and Rubinstein International Violin Competitions. Most recently, she received a special prize at the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition.
She is currently an Artist in Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel under the mentorship of Augustin Dumay.
In addition to solo playing, Karen is an active and passionate chamber musician and plays a 1747 Nicolo Gagliano from an anonymous donor.
Principal teachers
- Augustin Dumay 2020-present
- Vesna Gruppman 2002-2020
- Igor Gruppman 2014-2020
Major Competitions
- 1st prize, Lipizer International Violin Competition 2020
- 2nd prize, Princess Astrid International Violin Competition 2021
Programme
FIRST ROUND
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Violin Partita No. 2, BWV 1004
I. Chaconne
NICCOLÒ PAGANINI Caprice No. 10 in G minor
HENRYK WIENIAWSKI Concert Polonaise in D major, Op. 4
Pianist: Carson Becke
Karen Su is generously sponsored by the Vignoble Clos Ste-Croix.
