The Score | 2020 Avery Fisher Career Grants

Usually the winners of the annual Avery Fisher Career Grants are announced at a celebratory in-person event that includes live music-making by the honorees. This time around, due to health precautions during the coronavirus pandemic, the announcement was broadcast on NYC classical station WQXR, with previously recorded performances by each honoree along with short interviews. But there was still plenty of excitement during the March 25 broadcast, which was hosted by Elliott Forrest and also streamed on WQXR.org. This year’s recipients are Stella Chen, violinist; Zlatomir Fung, cellist; and Rachell Ellen Wong, Baroque violinist. This marks the first time a Baroque violinist has been awarded a Career Grant. The Avery Fisher Career Grants give professional assistance and recognition to talented instrumentalists and chamber ensembles judged to have potential for major careers. Each recipient receives an award of $25,000 to be used for career advancement. Some Symphony magazine bragging rights: cellist Zlatomir Fung was profiled in Symphony’s Winter 2019 issue, and violinist Stella Chen was profiled in the Winter issue of Symphony, which came out in February.