RHYS WATKINS VIOLIN CLASS CONCERT 2025
Featuring Students of Rhys Watkins
3rd December 2025 | 17.30 hrs.
Enjoy a captivating evening of violin and piano music in “Rhys Watkins Violin Class Concert 2025”. This special concert at Steinway & Sons Thailand showcases the talented violin students of Rhys Watkins accompanied on the piano by Rina Takahashi, featuring young performers from Shrewsbury International School Bangkok, and Bangkok Prep International School. The programme includes works by Bach, Seitz, Kreisler, De Falla, Paganini, Tchaikovsky, and Wieniawski, highlighting the artistry and dedication of these emerging musicians.
The evening will culminate in collaborative performances by all students together with Rhys Watkins, including Shostakovich’s Prelude from Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano and Leclair’s Sonata No. 5, Presto.
PROGRAM
‘Preludio’ from Partita No. 3 in E Major
Johann Sebastian Bach
A dazzling display of perpetual motion, Bach’s Prelude radiates joy and vitality through its continuous semiquavers, showcasing the violin’s brilliance and Baroque elegance.
Keene Karnchanapoo, violin
Student Concerto No.2, Op.13
Friedrich Seitz
Seitz’s charming concerto balances lyrical themes and spirited passages, introducing young players to Romantic expressiveness and classical structure.
Nichanune Eua-areemitr, violin
Rina Takahashi, piano
Praeludium and Allegro
Fritz Kreisler
Written in the style of Pugnani, this virtuosic showpiece contrasts a noble prelude with a fiery allegro, embodying Kreisler’s warmth and flair.
Wenjing Chen, violin
Rina Takahashi, piano
Danse Espagnole
Manuel De Falla
Brimming with rhythmic passion and fiery energy, this arrangement captures Spain’s vibrant spirit, blending folk color with dazzling violinistic brilliance.
Sirin Lerdsirisopon, violin
Rina Takahashi, piano
Cantabile
Nicola Paganini
A lyrical gem, Paganini’s Cantabile reveals the composer’s tender, melodic side, contrasting his usual pyrotechnics with heartfelt, vocal beauty.
Peangpud Kuansongtham, violin
Rina Takahashi, piano
Melodie
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Tender and songlike, Tchaikovsky’s Melody sings with romantic melancholy, showcasing his gift for heartfelt lyricism and emotional depth.
Ryan Murphy, violin
Rina Takahashi, piano
Polonaise in D Major, Op.4
Henryk Wieniawski
A grand and spirited work, Wieniawski’s Polonaise dazzles with virtuosic flair and noble Polish character, celebrating national pride through dance.
Amy Ono, violin
Rina Takahashi, Piano
String Ensemble :
'Prelude’ from Five Pieces for Two Violins & Piano
Dmitri Shostakovich
‘Presto’ from Sonata No.5 (Violins)
Jean Marie Leclaire
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PERFORMERS
Amy Ono
Amy Ono (Age 16), a Thai-Japanese violinist, started her first violin lesson when she was 5 with Ms. Kamolporn Byagghateja, then transferred to learn from Mr. Siripong Tiptan when she was 7 to 12. In addition, during school breaks from October 2017-April 2022, she also took lessons from Ms. Michiko Kamiya (1st Prize winner at the Hannover Joachim Competition in 1997 and the 2nd Prize winner at the Paganini Competition in 1992). From September 2022, she moved to Japan and took regular lessons from Ms. Michiko Kamiya before once again moved to England to study GCSE Level at the Yehudi Menuhin School where she learned violin from Ms. Akiko Ono (prizewinner of the Yehudi Menuhin, Queen Elisabeth, Paganini and the Forval-Scholarship Stradivarius Competitions.) and Ms. Anna Ziman.
Amy has just returned to Thailand to study her A-Level at Shrewsbury International School. She currently receives lesson from Mr. Rhys Watkins (a former first violin section of the London Symphony Orchestra and a finalist/prize-winner in several prestigious international competitions, including the Jeunesses Musicales International Violin Competition (Belgrade) and the Paganini International Violin Competition (Moscow).
Amy won 1st Place and Judges’ Distinction Award from American Protégé International Piano & Strings Competition and in the same year 1st Place from American Protégé Concerto Competition (2021). She also received 2nd Prize from the 20th Osaka International Music Competition and other prizes from both domestic and international competitions.
Amy is trilingual (Japanese, English and Thai). Her favorite subject is Chemistry. She enjoys reading mystery novels and watching comedy shows. Her favorite food is sushi. The most relaxing moment of the day is when she plays with her guinea pig, Mocha.
Keene Karnchanapoo
Keene is a 10-year-old violinist who simply loves making music and sharing it with others. At Shrewsbury International School Bangkok Riverside, he has enjoyed playing in ensembles such as the Reverie Quartet and the Riverside Orchestra, and has been grateful for the chance to serve as Principal Cellist of Dragon Strings and Concertmaster for the Junior Film Festival Orchestra. In 2025, he was honored to receive the Platinum Prize at the Thailand Young Musician Award and the First Prize at the Tokyo Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition. More than prizes, Keene values the joy, friendship, and inspiration that music brings to both players and listeners.
Nichanune Eua-areemitr
Nicha is an 11-year-old pianist and violinist who has passion in music and enjoys playing unique pieces together with others. She loves taking part in quartets, and orchestras. This year, she is part of a quintet, piano chamber, and Shrewsbury Orchestra which will be performing in the ‘Last Night Of Proms’ at Shrewsbury Riverside. She won the Gold award in the 3rd Bangkok International Performing Arts Piano Competition, and Platinum prize at London Young Musician for Piano. Sharing passion and being inspired in music with others and the community both as a performer and an audience brings her joy.
Peangpud Kuansongtham
Tara is an accomplished young violinist whose artistry has been recognized both in Thailand and internationally. She is the Second Prize Winner of the Sugree Charoensook International Music Competition and a Gold Prize recipient at the Osaka International Music Competition. Tara also earned the AMIS Gold Prize Award for her exceptional musicianship.
As Concertmaster of the Shrewsbury Orchestra and a member of the Shrewsbury Quartet, she continues to develop her craft through performance and collaboration, demonstrating maturity and passion well beyond her years.
Ryan Murphy
Ryan Murphy is a year 13 student at Bangkok Preparatory school in Bangkok. He has been playing violin since he was five years old. Between the ages of 7 and 10 he played with the Chulalongkorn Sunrise Strings Orchestra. He was honored to be the only foreigner to play in a special recording of the National Anthem issued to mark the passing of the late King. He began playing with a youth quartet in 2018 and teaches regularly at the Klong Toey Immanuel music school since 2024. He is excited to participate in today’s event.
Sirin Lerdsirisopon
Sirin Lerdsirisopon is a Year 12 student at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok. She began studying the violin at the age of seven and has since participated in a wide range of music programs and ensembles, such as serving as principal second violin of the Thai Youth Orchestra and as concertmaster of Shrewsbury’s Symphony Orchestra. Alongside her orchestral work, she has enjoyed performing with the Shrewsbury Chamber Music Program on both violin and viola. As a member of the Shrewsbury Quartet, she has performed at numerous events around Bangkok, culminating in a farewell recital earlier this year. Sirin is delighted to share today’s program and hopes the audience will enjoy the music as much as she enjoys performing it.
Wenjing Chen
Wendy is a Year 8 student at Shrewsbury International School, Bangkok. She began studying music at the age of nine and has quickly distinguished herself as a dedicated and talented young violinist. Her musical journey has included a wide range of experiences, from orchestral and chamber music to masterclasses with internationally renowned musicians such as Andrej Power, the Concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra.
Wendy has performed extensively with the Thai Youth Orchestra, serving as Sub Principal Second Violin, and has taken part in major productions including Echoes of the Homeland and Thai Youth & Legends. Her performances with the orchestra have given her opportunities to collaborate with leading artists and perform on prestigious stages across Thailand.
In addition to her orchestral work, Wendy has been an active chamber musician. In 2025, she joined the Bangkok Festival to perform The Nutcracker with Samara Theatre and also represented Thailand at the ASEAN China Music Festival.
Rhys Watkins
Welsh violinist Rhys Watkins has forged an international career as a distinguished soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader, known for his expressive artistry and versatility across genres.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2005, Rhys joined the first violin section of the London Symphony Orchestra in 2009. Since then, he has performed in many of the world’s leading concert halls and represented the LSO at high-profile cultural events and recitals in embassies across Beijing, Tokyo, New York, and throughout Europe.
In high demand as a studio musician, Rhys has recorded extensively at London’s Abbey Road and Air Lyndhurst Studios. His violin playing can be heard on the soundtracks of numerous major film productions, including Harry Potter, Star Wars, Thor, The Avengers, Twilight: New Moon, The Imitation Game, Zero Dark Thirty, Cinderella, The Shape of Water, The King’s Speech, Brave, and The Golden Compass, among many others. His collaborations have brought him into creative partnerships with acclaimed directors such as Guillermo del Toro, George Clooney, and Sir Kenneth Branagh.
As a soloist and competition laureate, Rhys has been a finalist and prize-winner in several prestigious international violin competitions, including the Jeunesses Musicales International Violin Competition (Belgrade) and the Paganini International Violin Competition (Moscow).
He is also a core member of the award-winning Artea String Quartet, known for its compelling interpretations and critically acclaimed recordings. The quartet has performed at celebrated venues such as Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Room, and the BBC Proms, with numerous live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. Their recordings of Mendelssohn and Schubert quartets on the Champs Hill label have received widespread acclaim.
Equally at home in the world of popular music, Rhys has shared the stage with some of the most iconic artists of our time, including Sir Paul McCartney, Queen, Elton John, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Shirley Bassey, Annie Lennox, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett, and Phil Collins.
Rina Takahashi
Rina began her music studies and piano lessons at the age of four. After taking her first piano exam in 2016, she was invited to perform at the ABRSM High Scorers’ Concert at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. Since then, Rina has enjoyed performing and has been actively pursuing her piano studies.
In 2023, she was awarded the ARSM in Music Performance with distinction. She also passed the ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory exam with distinction.
As the winner of the 5th New Talent Festival 2022 (12-13 age group), Rina was invited to perform at the Winners’ Concert held at the Royal Academy of Music, London, in 2023. Her most recent successes include Third Prize (under-17 age group) at the 7th Steinway Youth Piano Competition, as well as Third Prize and two special prizes (13-16 age group) at the 5th Siam International Piano Competition.
Currently, Rina is a music scholar at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok, where she studies under the tutelage of Channarong Jantararat.
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LOCATION
Steinway & Sons Showroom
#1F-04 Gaysorn Center, 1st Floor
999 Phloen Chit Rd., Lumpini, Bangkok