Asher Koh

Asher Koh is 16 years old and a junior at Parkway Central High School. This year is his third season with the St. Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra. Asher started learning the violin at the age of 3 ½ and is currently studying with Mrs. Winifred Crock. He was privileged to be part of the first violin section in the Missouri All-State Orchestra in 2022 and 2023.

Asher took up a second instrument, the piano, at the age of 5. Currently, he studies with Mrs. Vera Parkin. Asher won the St. Charles Community College’s Young Artist Competition 2020, playing Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin, and was the honorable mention in the UMSL Young Artist Competition 2022 with the same piece. In 2023, he was the runner-up in the University City Young Artist Competition in 2023, playing Khachaturian’s Piano Concerto, and was honored to be able to perform the first movement with the University City Symphonic Orchestra.

Besides playing the violin and the piano, Asher also loves to arrange, improvise and play the guitar. He serves regularly in his church’s worship band on all three instruments.

Asher would like to thank Anita Lin, Lansin Kimler, Dolly Hsu, Jackie Gross, Winifred Crock, Vera Parkin, Clay McKinney, and Alicia Bont for teaching him and providing many opportunities for him to develop his musicianship.