Competition Judges – Franklin Pond Chamber Music

2026 Judges

photo of main holding a violin and smiling at the camera — Photo Credit: Los Angeles Philharmonic Association

Martin Chalifour
Violinist

Martin Chalifour has served as Principal Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 1995. He graduated with honors from the Montreal Conservatory at age eighteen and continued his studies at the Curtis Institute of Music.

An internationally recognized artist, Chalifour received a Certificate of Honor at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and is a laureate of the Montreal International Competition. He maintains an active solo career, performing a repertoire of more than sixty concertos, and has appeared as soloist with conductors including Pierre Boulez, Gustavo Dudamel, Charles Dutoit, Neville Marriner, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. His international appearances include performances with the Montreal Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and Auckland Philharmonia, among others.

Previously, Chalifour served as Associate Concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra, where he also taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has recorded for the Telarc, Northstar, and Yarlung labels and currently teaches at Caltech and the USC Thornton School of Music.

Photo Credit: Western Michigan University Irving S. Gilmore School of Music

Bruce Uchimura
Cellist

Bruce J. Uchimura is Professor of Music at Western Michigan University, where he teaches cello and coaches chamber ensembles. A member of the WMU faculty since 1987, he has also taught at Michigan State University, Augusta College, and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Uchimura earned his Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School, studying with Leonard Rose and Channing Robbins, and his Master of Music degree and Artist Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music. His additional training includes studies at Aspen, Meadowmount, Banff, and an orchestral fellowship at the Spoleto Festival.

For thirty years, Uchimura was cellist of the acclaimed Merling Trio, performing throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada and recording for the Pamplin, Albany, MSR Classics, and Centaur labels. He has served as Principal Cellist of the Augusta Symphony and was named the orchestra’s first Associate Conductor. Highly regarded as an educator, he was named 2010 Educator of the Year by the Michigan String Teachers Association.

Photo Credit: Western Michigan University

Susan Wiersma Uchimura
Pianist

Susan Wiersma Uchimura is an accomplished American pianist and a member of the music faculty at Western Michigan University, where she serves as a resident artist and staff accompanist. She is widely respected for her work as a collaborative pianist and chamber musician, valued for her musical sensitivity and partnership on stage.

A founding member of the Merling Trio, Susan has performed extensively in chamber music settings and has collaborated with distinguished artists in recitals, festivals, and competitions, including the Stulberg International String Competition. She frequently appears in duo recitals with her husband, cellist Bruce Uchimura.

Susan graduated valedictorian from the Cleveland Institute of Music, earning degrees in piano and music theory. Her teaching career includes faculty appointments at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Augusta College, as well as service on the accompanying faculty at the Meadowmount School of Music. She is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda national music honor society and has served on the board of the Michigan Music Teachers Association.