Noah Koh began his cello studies at the Center for Preparatory Studies in Music at the Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens College-CUNY after studying violin for two years. At the age of 11, he continued his studies as a scholarship student at the Juilliard Pre-College Program. It wasn’t until May 2020 when he left Juilliard, obtaining his bachelor’s and master’s degree along the way. He is now enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music, pursuing a professional certificate.
An avid chamber musician, Noah has been heard at many distinguished summer festivals: the Aspen Music Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, the C.W. Post Chamber Music Festival, Festival Del Lago (where he performed alongside faculty members), Kneisel Hall, Luzerne Music Festival, Meadowmount School of Music, Music Academy of the West and the Yellow Barn Young Artists Program. He also performed in concerts throughout the Appalachian area of New York, including The Caroga Lake Arts Collective, or the Roxbury Arts Group.
While only a sophomore at Juilliard, he was invited to participate in Juilliard’s Honors Chamber Program with the Nova String Quartet where he had the privilege to study with violinists Joseph Lin and Laurie Smuckler, as well as violist Roger Tapping. The Nova String quartet also performed in The Juilliard School, Alice Tully Hall, and the manuscript museum in Buffalo, New York. The quartet also collaborated with dancers and composers. The quartet also participated in masterclasses with the cellist David Finckel (live streamed on medici), violinist Sean Lee through Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society, as well as others through the Juilliard School, with pianist Robert Levin and the Michelangelo Quartet.
Noah’s teachers include many of the most distinguished pedagogues of our time: André Emelianoff, Bonnie Hampton, Clara Lee Rous, Clara Yang, David Ying, Darrett Adkins, Gloria DePasquale, Natasha Brofsky, Ruth Guideri, and Julia Lichten. He has performed in master classes for David Finkel, David Geber, Evangeline Benedetti, and Frans Helmerson.
Noah loves music and is living in New York City, where the music never stops. He has performed countless Groupmuses in private homes, and finds a lot of joy in every gig he has come across, whether it was to play in an orchestra with members of the Metropolitan Opera in Central Park, or to record the soundtrack in the movie Gemini Man, starring Will Smith.
When he’s not playing the cello Noah can be found doing yoga, playing pick up soccer games, and trying amazing food. He believes that there is a connection to these various things in his life. Yoga is an amazing way to stay mindful and connected to the body, while soccer has taught him to live in the moment and take risks, and good food is an accumulation of wonderful flavors interacting with each other.
