OAK Trio – Sept 10, 2026

Evren Ozel, piano
Nathan Amaral, violin
Leland Ko, cello

The OAK Trio is a convergence of three completely unique personalities into one entity: a pianist who transfixes with his complete mastery over sound, time, and space; a violinist who finds a dazzling truth and freedom in the fusion of his instrument and his voice; and a cellist who restlessly questions, digs deep, and wonders what it all means.

The trio was born in the fall of 2024 in Boston out of a mutual love for chamber music — both the music itself and what the genre brings out of each of us — and strives to live by the proverbial belief that a whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

The group takes its name from the surnames of its three young soloists (Evren Ozel, Nathan Amaral, and Leland Ko), and, as oak is the national tree of at least 15 different countries, it symbolizes not just the canonical strength and endurance but also a culture shared between us all.

American pianist Evren Ozel has been described as “an artist capable of lifting everyone to another level” (LaScena Musicale), praised for his blend of technical mastery and compelling artistry. He is the Bronze Medalist and Mozart Concerto Prize winner of the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, as well as the recipient of a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant and a 2022 Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant. As a soloist, Evren has appeared with esteemed ensembles such as the Cleveland Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony, and the Jacksonville Symphony. He has also been featured in recitals at the La Jolla Music Society, Capital Region Classical, and Cal Performances.

Winner of the 2024 Sphinx Competition and a Classic FM 30 Under 30 Rising Star, violinist Nathan Amaral has been hailed by Yo-Yo Ma as “one of the rare musicians who not only possesses the gift of ample technical ability but uses it to transcend technique.” He has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Philharmonia Orchestra. Recent highlights include a sold-out performance at the Royal Albert Hall, as well as acclaimed appearances at Wigmore Hall, the KKL at the Lucerne Festival, and Symphony Hall in Boston.

Chinese-Canadian cellist Leland Ko is the First Prize Winner of the 2024 Naumburg Cello Competition, quickly establishing himself as a rising voice in the classical music world. He has performed at prominent venues along the East Coast, including Merkin Hall, Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, and Sanders Theatre, and is beginning to make his mark on the international stage. Leland has appeared as a soloist with ensembles such as the Montreal Symphony, Roswell Symphony, Apollo Ensemble, the Hong Kong Generation Next Arts Festival Youth Orchestra, and the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.