Violinist Staff Sgt. Kelly Cho of Long Island, New York, joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Chamber Orchestra in February 2025.
Cho began her musical training on piano at age 3 and violin at age 4. After graduating from Plainview Old-Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School in NY in 2009, she attended Manhattan School of Music (MSM) where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music in 2013 and a master's degree in 2016. Her main instructors include Maria Radicheva at MSM; Lisa Kim, associate principal second violin of the New York Philharmonic; and David Kim, concertmaster of Philadelphia Orchestra.
Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Cho was a violinist and music director for the Strolling Strings in The United States Air Force Band from 2022-25. She was also a substitute section violin in The Washington National Opera Orchestra from 2023 to present. She has performed with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and the New World Symphony in Miami.
Cho performs with the Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House and in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.