Background
Weijing Michal joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in March 2012. Prior to joining the CSO, she served as acting Associate Principal Viola for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra from 2009 to 2012. From 2007 to 2009, she served as the youngest principal player ever in the history of the Phoenix Symphony.
A native of Shanghai, China, Michal has received numerous awards, including the Robertson Award in the Primrose International Viola Competition, second prize in the Chicago National Viola Competition, gold medal in the Shenyang National Viola Competition and third prize in the Beijing National Viola Competition. An active chamber musician, Michal is a founding member of the Chicago Peridot String Quartet and also has collaborated with members of the Vermeer String Quartet, among other ensembles. Michal began violin studies at the age of four and at 17 started to play the viola. She was later admitted to the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory of Music without entrance auditions.
Michal studied with Li-Kuo Chang at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University after she came to the United States in 2004.