Canadian violinist Ji Soo Choi has died at the age of 28.

The Jiulliard-trained classical professional passed away in an Oakville, Ontario, hospital following a battle with lymphoma.

Juilliard violin star dies of cancer at 28https://t.co/EmSK9ChGHf

— Norman Lebrecht (@NLebrecht) July 29, 2023

The statement

"Ji Soo was a popular and devoted colleague. She always played with profound passion and joy. She was an exceptionally gifted violinist with a shining, bright career in her future. Ji Soo Choi received her Bachelor’s degree and her Master of Music at the Juilliard School," her manager Megan Jones wrote in a statement.

"Her numerous successes through her short life are almost too many to mention – from a young child music was her vocation and she rose quickly to become a pre-eminent musician, winning important competitions as a soloist and becoming well known for her talent as a chamber musician and a valued orchestra member," she added.

Her performances

"In 2015, She was selected as one of the young musicians to perform at the Music Mondays series hosted by the CBC Radio 2," her website noted.

"Music Mondays is a weekly noon-hour concert series that celebrates Toronto’s talented musicians, held in the historic Church of the Holy Trinity. The chosen musician is given a chance to record a recital program and is broadcasted nationally on CBC Radio 2," it added.

"Ji Soo have received bachelor’s degree and her Master of Music degree at the Juilliard School in the studio of Ida Kavafian and Daniel Phillips," it continued.

Her impact

"Hailed by CBC as one of the '30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30,' Ji Soo competed and won in numerous competitions since an early age as well as studied and played among world-class musicians in many locations primarily in South Korea, Toronto, and New York," her obituary stated.

"She will be lovingly remembered by her brother, Dexter; mother, Hyun Joo; father, Chang Su; as well as an abundance of relatives and friends," it added.

She was also known for teaching violin to others. "Teaching violin is one of the greatest opportunity for me to share my knowledge and experience with the students, and it is my goal as an advocate for the arts to encourage others to grow their interest in music and to expand their creativity palette through music," her website said about her teaching.

A celebration of life was held on July 29 by friends in family in the Oakville area.