World-renowned violinist Kevin Zhu made a visit to East High School to work with their Chamber Orchestra program on Tuesday, January 31st as a visiting artist through the Des Moines Symphony. Zhu played for the students, conducted some of the songs the Scarlets have been working on and finished by answering some questions from the student-musicians. The class was also welcomed to attend Zhu’s symphony performance this weekend.

(The Des Moines Symphony kicks off its first-ever Fred and Charlotte Hubbell Visiting Artist in Residence Program — an initiative designed to offer unique opportunities for Academy students and Symphony musicians as well as deeper community engagement. The program was established through a $1 million gift from the Hubbells that was part of the Symphony’s Sound of the City campaign. In its inaugural year, violinist Kevin Zhu will be in Des Moines Jan. 30 – Feb. 5, for a week packed full of education and entertainment. In addition to his work with young musicians in the Academy’s Youth Symphony, Zhu will visit several area school string orchestra classes, including Roosevelt High School, East High School, Hoover High School, Lincoln High School, Valley High School and Southwoods Freshman High School.)