[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Pianist Rufus Choi brings Bach to Rach to North Hollywood as part of the Athena Foundation for the Arts spring concert series on May 17, featuring a dynamic program from Bach to Rachmaninoff.
Welcome Bach to Rach to NoHo
Prepare to be delighted as Rufus Choi’s fingers dance across the keys, bringing to life a diverse repertoire spanning classical masterpieces and modern compositions: Bach/Feinberg Largo from the Sonata in C Major, BWV 529; Bach/Busoni Chorale Preludes and Chaconne in D minor, BWV 1004; Beethoven 7 Variations on Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen, WoO 46; Elgar Romance, Opus 1; and Rachmaninoff’s Sonata No. 2, Opus 36.
Rufus Choi’s dynamic playing style and insightful interpretations, paired with artistically curated imagery for each piece, create an immersive, enchanting experience. This performance brings two guest appearances by his sons, Noah on cello and Micah on violin.
Whether you’re a die-hard classical music fan, a pianist-in-training, or simply appreciate the beauty of piano music, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Bring your friends and family to experience the magic of Rufus Choi as he takes the stage in NoHo.
Meet the Choi Family
Rufus Choi, a Korean-American pianist, is acclaimed by critics and audiences worldwide for his artistry. A top prizewinner in numerous international competitions—including First Place and the People’s Choice Award at the inaugural Jose Iturbi International Music Competition—he has performed at major venues such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Salzburg Festival, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Seoul Arts Center.
A dedicated educator, Choi has mentored pianists of all ages, many of whom have gone on to prestigious conservatories and competition success. In 2023, he founded the Salit Conservatory of Music in Burbank, California, to further his mission of inspiring students to “listen between the notes.”
A Steinway Artist, Choi holds BM and MM degrees from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Oxana Yablonskaya, and completed the Soloklassen at the Hochschule für musik in Hannover under Vladimir Krainev. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons and continues to perform, teach, and shape the next generation of classical musicians.
Noah Choi is a rising second-generation cellist with strong roots in the Russian musical tradition. A junior at the California School of the Arts, he studies with Sarah Koo and previously trained with Michael Kaufman and Bongshin Ko.
After making his orchestral debut in 2022, performing Haydn’s C Major Concerto, Noah has earned major accolades, including a 2025 YoungArts win, From the Top finalist recognition, and top prizes in numerous competitions such as SYMF, Satori, COLIBRI, CAL-ASTA, and CAPMT.
A dedicated chamber musician, he is the cellist of the award-winning Doxa Quartet, which has earned top honors at the Coltman and Fischoff competitions and was invited to From the Top’s Fellowship Program. He has performed with renowned artists including Midori Goto and Oxana Yablonskaya, and studied with leading musicians such as Robert DeMaine and Eugene Drucker.
Passionate about sharing music, Noah has performed internationally with the Endpin Project and helped raise over $15,000 for breast cancer research. Outside of music, he enjoys basketball, travel, and food exploration.
Micah Choi, 14, is a student at the California School of the Arts and has studied violin since the age of four. He is currently a student of Henry Gronnier and previously studied with Yuki Mori and Min Jung Park.
Micah has received top honors in competitions including SYMF, MTAC, the Iba-Tenorio Scholarship Competition, and Satori. In addition to his solo work, he is a dedicated chamber musician, having been a finalist in VOCE and a prizewinner in JCM. He is also an active participant in his school’s chamber ensembles and orchestra.
Beyond music, Micah maintains strong academic standing, volunteers in his community, and enjoys spending time with his fish pets. He continues to deepen his artistry and hopes to share his love of music with others.
Event Details
The Bach to Rach Program:
The Athena Foundation for the Arts Spring 2026 Concert: Renowned Concert Pianist, Rufus Choi, brings his Bach to Rach to NoHo!
When:
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Doors Open: 3:15 PM
Showtime: 4:00 PM
Where:
Community Auditorium
Church of Scientology of the Valley
11455 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
FREE Parking in the Farmdale Avenue lot
Disclaimers:
• The concert is hosted exclusively by The Athena Foundation for the Arts.
• It is not a church-sponsored event.
• Please email us with any questions or concerns.
Tickets:
$45 General Admission
$36 Student with ID
$17 Children 12 and under accompanied by an adult
Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1681339023279?aff=oddtdtcreator
Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
Scan the provided Eventbrite QR code, or pay with cash or a credit card.
About The Athena Foundation for the Arts
Our Mission: Create. Culture. Community. The Athena Foundation for the Arts sets the stage, providing an annual world-class concert series, bringing stellar musicians from around the world to share their outstanding programs with our community. Your tax-deductible donations make these programs possible. Ask about our corporate sponsorship program, connecting culture with commerce. Help the Athena Foundation for the Arts by donating today! It’s a Sound Investment.
Donate at: https://athenafoundationarts.org/donate/