Young Violinist Follows in Famous Footsteps

The University of Judaism is once again offering its cultural version of “Star Search.” For more than 20 years, the Bel-Air university has offered a spring concert series featuring some of Southern California’s promising classical musicians.

This year’s series began last month with Anders Martinson, a young pianist who will soon be performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. As the second installment in the four-concert series, 15-year-old Kevin Kumar will perform on violin Tuesday.

The program includes Wieniawski’s “Legend” and portions of Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E minor for violin and orchestra. Kumar will also play selections by Tartini and de Sarasate. JoAnna Pearce will accompany him on piano.

Kumar follows in the footsteps of a number of highly successful musicians who once performed in these concerts, which are sponsored by a group called the University Women.

Pianist Mischa Dichter went on to record with, among others, the Pittsburgh Symphony with Andre Previn conducting and the Boston Symphony. Mona Golabek was praised by Times reviewer Daniel Cariaga for her “stylish and authoritative” piano playing in last year’s Beethoven Spectacular at the Hollywood Bowl.

“Many famous performers have played for us as they were coming up the ladder,” said Shirley Ashkenas, co-chairwoman of the concert series. “These are all outstanding students who are studying with the outstanding teachers of Southern California. We have some extremely talented young people in this area.”

Kumar is studying with Alice Schoenfeld at USC. He has appeared with the Brentwood-Westwood Symphony and the Marina del Rey-Westchester Symphony.

He has also won awards in competitions held by such organizations as the American String Teachers Assn. and the Music Teachers Assn., and received a scholarship from the Young Musicians Foundation.

The remaining performances in the series will be held March 5 and April 9.

Tuesday’s concert will begin at 11 a.m. in Gindi Auditorium at the University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel-Air. Tickets are $10 members, $12 non-members. Call (213) 476-9777, Ext. 283.