Member Pre-Sale: Wednesday, September 17 - 10 AM
Public On-Sale: Friday, September 19 - 10 AM
Saturday, January 31
Doors: 6:00 PM / Show: 7:00 PM
Tickets: $30 / $25 / $20
Students & Seniors 62+: $20
Yu&I Duo will be at Struthers Library Theatre on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 7 PM. Sponsored by The Community Foundation of Warren County. Acclaimed for their "individual virtuosity and seamless collaboration," the Yu&I Duo embarks on a journey that captivates audiences with their mesmerizing performances. Their repertoire is a celebration of their diverse backgrounds, blending folk-inspired melodies from South Korea and Germany, in addition to classical favorites and movie themes. From the spicy rhythms of Astor Piazzolla's tango to the romantic virtuosity of Niccolo Paganini, and the emotional rollercoaster of Bartok's Romanian Dances, their concerts promise a whirlwind adventure of musical expression. Experience the allure of the Yu&I Duo—an unforgettable musical voyage awaits!
Winners of the prestigious Beverly Hills National Auditions, YuEun Gemma Kim and Ines Thomé, share a remarkable story that began a decade ago. Back then, they were two aspiring musicians from different corners of the globe, YuEun from Korea and Ines from Germany. Serendipitously, they became housemates in a charming Victorian spot in Los Angeles while studying at USC's Thornton School of Music. Their instant connection stemmed from a shared passion for chamber music and a mutual love for delectable Korean cuisine.
Over the years, their artistic partnership has flourished, captivating audiences across the United States with their magnetic stage presence and consummate musicality. YuEun and Ines stand as accomplished soloists, each boasting a collection of accolades in their respective instruments that has carried them to stages around the world. Their repertoire spans the ages, from evocative renditions of early music performed on period instruments to innovative arrangements of popular music executed with the highest level of artistry.
Yu&I duo's musical journey has enhanced prestigious venues and events across the nation, including The Blue Hill Concert Association, UCLA's Bruman Chamber Music Festival, Knoxville Guitar Society, The Sacramento Chamber Music Society, and The Pamlico Musical Society, among many others. In the current season, Yu&I embarks on an extensive U.S. tour, encompassing more than 20 cities. The culmination of their journey comes in the form of their debut album, "A Journey with Yu&I," set to release in Fall 2023. This album promises a mesmerizing fusion of folk-inspired melodies from their respective homelands, South Korea and Germany. In Yu&I's concerts, expect an electrifying yet soothing experience—an exploration of tradition that pushes the boundaries of musical expression.
Meet The Artists
Ines Thome
Guitar
Ines Thomé is a German-born guitarist, chamber musician, and educator. She completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Germany and earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Ines's exceptional talent and dedication to music are evident through her numerous awards from international competitions in Germany, Italy, and the United States, including First Prizes at the Beverly Hills National Auditions, the International Guitar Competition in Walnut Creek, California, and the American Guitar Society's Bickford Competition. Ines has been invited to give solo recitals at prestigious venues such as the Stuttgart International Guitar Festival in Germany, the Los Angeles Guitar Festival, and various concert series in the U.S. and Germany.In addition to her achievements in classical guitar, Ines has a keen interest in historical performance practice. She enjoys playing a variety of period instruments, including the lute, theorbo, and baroque guitar. She has performed on period instruments with the USC Opera and the American Contemporary Ballet, and she has also participated in the Berkeley Early Music Festival. Her dedication to early music was recognized with an award at the International Guitar Competition in Erwitte, Germany. While she was still in Germany, Ines played electric guitar in the female metal and Arven, with whom she released two albums.
In addition to her successful career as a performer, Ines has been teaching guitar for over 20 years. She currently directs the only elementary guitar program in the Muscogee County School District, where she loves creating innovative arrangements that incorporate a variety of instruments. When not performing and teaching, Ines loves to play soccer with her 4-year-old son Vincent and has been seen paragliding through the Alps.
Mann-Wen Lo
Violin
Filling in for YuEun Gemma Kim, violinist Mann-Wen Lo performs extensively throughout the world as a soloist and chamber musician. Featured on radio and TV broadcasts in the United States, Taiwan, Japan, and France, Mann-Wen has gained recognition at numerous competitions and awards, including the Taiwan Council for Cultural Affairs Scholarship, First Prize at the International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition, Oneppo Chamber Music Competition, Beverly Hills National Audition, and USC Solo Bach Competition. Mann-Wen has been a recurring artist at some of the most prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Walt Disney Hall and Taiwan National Concert Hall. Her recording with the Mana Music Quartet, featuring the music of Queen Liliʻuokalani, was awarded Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2021 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award.
Mann-Wen has performed as a soloist with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of Taiwan Strings, Tokyo University of the Arts Ensemble, and American Contemporary Ballet in Los Angeles. She has served as guest concertmaster at the Pasadena Opera, American Contemporary Ballet, and Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, and as guest assistant concertmaster at the Dallas Chamber Symphony. As a core member and principal violinist, Mann-Wen performs regularly with Delirium Musicum, a boundary-pushing conductorless chamber ensemble. She has been a featured recording artist under labels such as Warner Classics, Navona Records, and CMH Label Groups.
To inspire and encourage everyone to lead a creative life through performances and teaching is Mann-Wen’s personal mission. She currently serves as a violin professor at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. She is a recurring faculty member at summer festivals including Deutsch-Polnische Festival für junge Musiker in Bremen, Montecito International Music Festival, and Texas Music Festival. She has given masterclasses and taught as a faculty guest artist at East Tennessee State University, Punahou School, and Iolani School. In collboration with the Liliʻuokalani Trust and Mana Music Hawaii, Mann-Wen was a teaching artist and co-launched a music program mentoring young Hawaiian children and youths. Mann-Wen has served as a jury member for the International Music Competition Opus 2022, the 2023 Houston Virtuosi Concerto Competition, the 2023 Young Musicians Festival Competition at the Asian American Cultural Center in Austin, and the HTMA Ensemble Contest.
Aside from music, Mann-Wen enjoys running, hiking, learning to play Go, and experimenting with cameras in her spare time.