Biography

​

Born in Seattle, Washington to Korean imigrants, Wende started playing the piano at age 5 and then the violin at age 7. She studied with Richard Ferrin at the University of Washington and later made her first public performance at the University of Vancouver, (BC) when she was 8. She was inspired by Kyung Wha Chung who also lived in Seattle. Chung's parents ran a Korean restaurant and were family friends. Leaving Seattle at 17 to study first in San Francisco with Zaven Melikian at the San Francisco Conservatory and then in Boston with Dorothy De Lay at the New England Conservatory, led to a rich musical life. Upon graduation, she became a member of Sinfonica della RAI di Torino, Italy for 2 years.

​

Returning to the States, she settled in New York City and began freelancing. Wende is currently and member of the American Symphony Orchestra, Bard Festival Orchestra, OK Mozart Festival Orchestra and Westchester Philharmonic. She also plays regularly with the New Jersey Symphony, Opera Orchestra of New York, and Stamford Symphony. She lives in New York City with her husband, Alex, her two children, Michael and Gillian, and their Akita, Zoe.

​

​