Mount Wilson Observatory “Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome” Cellissimo w/ Cécilia Tsan & Allan Hon

For Immediate Release:

Mount Wilson Observatory Presents
the Second Offering in its 8th Season of
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome
Cellissimo Featuring Cécilia Tsan and Allan Hon
Held Inside the Historic Dome of the 100-Inch Telescope
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Performances at 3:00pm and 5:00pm

LOS ANGELES, CA – Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO)—Southern California’s esteemed home to several of the most groundbreaking astronomical discoveries in history—is pleased to present the second Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome of its 2025 season, inside the magnificent vaulted dome of MWO’s historic 100-inch telescope. As in previous seasons of the series, Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan (Principal Cellist, Long Beach Symphony and Los Angeles Master Chorale) curates. On Sunday, June 29, 2025, the audience is invited to experience Cellissimo, featuring Cécilia Tsan (cello) and Allan Hon (cello). Each concert date of the season will consist of two performances per afternoon. The same program will be offered twice: first at 3:00pm and again at 5:00pm. There will be an artist reception at 4:00pm between each concert’s hour-long session. Tickets cost $60 each and are available for purchase online in advance (highly recommended) or at the door, given availability. For more information on the concert series, please visit https://www.mtwilson.edu/concerts where tickets for this, and future concerts, are available.

The June 29 program will include:

• J.B. Barrière - “Sonata No.10 in G Major” arranged for two cellos
• J.S Bach - “Chaconne for Solo Violin” arranged for two cellos by Claudio Jaffe & Johanne Perron
• World Premiere of Gernot Wolfgang - “Ready to Rumble” arranged for two cellos
• Jacques Offenbach - “Duet for Two Cellos Op.51 No.1”

Allan Hon (cello)
Praised for his lush, professionally robust string sound, cellist Allan Hon enjoys a multi-faceted career, from concert recitalist to chamber and orchestral musician, and has performed for audiences in Asia, Europe, Canada, and North America. A prizewinner in many competitions, he is a strong advocate of chamber music, and is the cellist of the Zelter String Quartet, Gold Prize winner of the 2021 Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition, and First Prize winner of the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition. He has also performed with some of the leading artists of today, such as Nicholas McGegan, Yayoi Toda, and the Attacca Quartet.

Hon joined the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra as associate principal in 2022 and also serves as a substitute cellist for the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. He was also a part of the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo, Japan, for their 2015-2016 season. Beyond classical music, Hon is also active in the studio scene, performing on soundtracks for movies, television shows, and video games such as Encanto, The Orville, Star Trek, Final Fantasy XV, and Still Wakes the Deep, and has worked with artists such as Seth MacFarlane.

He is the cellist of the Videri String Quartet, a video game music–centric string quartet with whom he has performed mainstage shows at major gaming conventions such as at PAX East (2024, 2022) in Boston and MAGFest (2023, 2018) in Washington D.C. Hon has also performed with Herencia Flamenca in 2018, where he performed flamenco shows alongside accomplished singers, dancers, and musicians from Spain and Venezuela.

Hon holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University where he studied with Desmond Hoebig. He also has a Master of Music and a Master of Musical Arts degree from the Yale School of Music where he studied with Aldo Parisot. In addition, he holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where he studied with Andrew Shulman. When he’s not playing the cello or partaking in musical activities, Hon loves exploring new places, lifting heavy things, and looking for the next tastiest brew.

Cécilia Tsan (cello)
Born in France, Cécilia Tsan began playing the cello with the same teacher as her childhood friend Yo-Yo Ma. After majoring in Philosophy and Chinese, she was accepted at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris under André Navarra, and was awarded the 1st Prize for Cello summa cum laude and the 1st Prize for Chamber Music. She is a prize winner at the Barcelona International Competition, the Florence International Competition, and the winner of the Debussy Prize at the Paris International Competition. Tsan has toured throughout the world not only as a soloist, but also as an avid chamber musician with Rudolf Firkusny, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Bruno Rigutto, Pascal Rogé, Pierre Amoyal, Augustin Dumay, Martin Chalifour, Hatto Beyerle, Gérard Caussé, Bruno Pasquier, Paul Neubauer, and Heiichiro Ohyama.

Tsan regularly performs on the radio and for television and films. Since moving to Los Angeles, she has recorded hundreds of movie soundtracks with composers such as John Williams, James Horner, Randy Newman, Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, David Newman, Jerry Goldsmith, Alan Silvestri, Alexandre Desplat, James Newton-Howard, and John Debney to name a few. She recorded an album (Eleven pieces for Cello and Piano) under the Cybelia label and two releases of chamber music by Weber and Ropartz, under the Timpani label, both with pianist Jean-Louis Haguenauer. More recently the double album she recorded with Sara Andon (flute) and Simone Pedroni (piano), John Williams Reimagined, was released by Warner Classics to critical acclaim.

Tsan currently plays as Principal Cellist with the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. She also served in that position at the Academy Awards, the Emmys, American Idol, and America’s Got Talent. Along with many chamber music performances, her recent concerts include Memoirs of a Geisha by John Williams, the Elgar and Dvorak Cello Concerti, and Brahms Double Concerto. In January 2026, Tsan will perform Strauss' great masterpiece Don Quixote with the Long Beach Symphony conducted by Eckart Preu.

Co-founder of Mount Wilson Observatory’s Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome, Tsan has served as the series’ Artistic Director since its inception in 2017. Under her leadership, the concerts have sold out consistently for the past two years. For more information on Cécilia Tsan, please visit: https://longbeachsymphony.org/musicians/cecilia-tsan

"Uncompromising musical character and a towering technique… In the breadth of her virtuosity and the charisma of her musical personality, Tsan made this work her own.” (Daniel Cariaga/Los Angeles Times, Haydn D Major Concerto).

THE REMAINING CONCERTS IN THE 2024 SEASON:

July 20 - https://www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert072025
Celebrating the First Walk on the Moon with Sarah Gillis Astronaut-Violinist.
Sarah Gillis, Martin Chalifour (violins), Andrew Duckles (viola), Cécilia Tsan (cello), and Tim Durkovic (piano). Sarah Gillis is the extraordinary astronaut/space engineer who flew to space in September 2024 on Polaris Dawn, a private human spaceflight mission. In the Dragon Spacecraft, she played John Williams' "Rey's Theme" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). For this concert—with John Williams' blessing—Gillis plays the violin and piano version of that piece specially for the Mount Wilson music series as a celebration of the anniversary of the first human steps on the Moon taken by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. She will then join Martin Chalifour, Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, pianist Tim Durkovic, violist Andrew Duckles, and cellist Cécilia Tsan to perform Schumann Piano Quintet. The program will also include Beethoven Piano Trio, Op. 11. For the first time in MWO’s concert series, there will be chamber music played with piano! Gratitude to Drew Dembowski who is generously lending his Steinway for the concert; that piano successively belonged to two iconic musicians: (Jascha Heifetz and Pete Jolly).

August 3 - https://www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert080325
Zelter String Quartet
Kyle Gilner and Gallia Kastner (violins), Carson Rick (viola) and Allan Hon (cello). Back by popular demand, this vibrant string quartet of young musicians will offer a beautiful program including a World Premiere by Todd Mason (“The City of Angels”) and Beethoven quartets.

August 17 - https://www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert081725
Celebrating Ben Powell
Leah Zeger (violin & vocals), Zach Dellinger (viola), Cécilia Tsan (cello), Roch Lockyer (guitar & vocals), and Brian Netzley (bass). Tsan shares, "We will be honoring our dear friend, the late Ben Powell, violinist extraordinaire who passed away much too soon in 2024. Ben opened our series at Mount Wilson in 2017 at the very first concert in the Dome. As Ben's friends, we will perform music from various genres, honoring his exceptional versatility on the violin and his beautiful soul."

August 31 - https://www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert083125
Leelou and Friends
Leelou (vocals & cello), Tony Bredelet (vocals & guitar), and Arnaud Dunoyer (keyboard). Leelou, the young vocalist and cellist who was in the finals of The Voice in 2017 at age 11 and is now touring as Nefertari in the musical The 10 Commandments in Europe. A recent graduate of Pau Conservatory (Conservatoire Pau Béarn Pyrénées), she'll perform with friends, offering a variety of songs featuring the various genres that she loves.

September 21 - https://www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert092125
New Hollywood String Quartet
Tereza Stanislav & Rafael Rishik (violins), Robert Brophy (viola), Andrew Shulman (cellos) guest appearance by Cécilia Tsan (cello.) Los Angeles Times Classical Music Critic Mark Swed wrote: “The New Hollywood String Quartet takes its inspiration from the famed Hollywood String Quartet, composed of studio musicians in the 1940s and ’50s. It had the reputation as America’s finest string quartet for its superbly silky sound and capacity for vivid drama…. That’s still true with the New Hollywood, formed in 2001, four decades after the original Hollywood Quartet disbanded.” This concert will offer an all-Schubert program: the “Quartettsatz,” followed by the "String Quintet, D956," with cellist Cécilia Tsan joining.

October 5 - https://www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert100525
Musical Friends
Roger Wilkie (violin), Jonah Sirota (viola), Cécilia Tsan (cello), Geoff Osika (bass), Gigi Brady (oboe), and Sergio Coelho (clarinet). A winds & strings celebration. This program curated by Jonah Sirota will include works by Hans Gal, Britten, and Prokofiev.

October 19 - https://www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert101925
Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas
Carte Blanche to Los Angeles’ all-female Mariachi Band

 

ABOUT MOUNT WILSON OBSERVATORY
Since its founding in 1904 by astronomer and visionary George Ellery Hale, the research conducted at Mount Wilson Observatory has revolutionized our understanding of the Universe. Perched on top of Mount Wilson, a 5,710-foot peak in the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena, California, the Observatory boasts a rich history and significant contributions to science and the heritage of Los Angeles. The Observatory’s 100-inch Telescope—the world's largest telescope from 1917 to 1949—forever changed our understanding of the scale and nature of our Universe and deeply expanded human knowledge. This world-heritage class instrument, used by many of the greatest astronomers of the Twentieth Century, launched a revolution in astronomy that continues through today.

Mount Wilson Institute has independently operated and maintained the Mount Wilson Observatory since 1989 under a long-term agreement with the Carnegie Institution of Washington. The Observatory and grounds are open to the public to visit, and during the spring and summer months the Institute produces programs including observing sessions through the historic telescopes (the largest on the planet made available to the public), lectures, concerts, art exhibits, educational programs, and more. Many of these cultural offerings are presented inside the singular vaulted dome of the 100-inch Telescope.

All proceeds from ticketed events go to support Mount Wilson Institute in its mission to preserve, protect, and promote the Observatory and its scientific accomplishments.

Complete information on all the scientific, educational, and cultural activities at Mount Wilson Observatory can be found on their website https://www.mtwilson.edu.

THE VENUE
The 100-inch telescope is the instrument with which astronomer Edwin Hubble discovered our place in an expanding universe and deeply expanded human knowledge. The dome for the telescope—designed by seminal Chicago architect Daniel Burnham—is a 20th century temple to science whose acoustics rival the great cathedrals of Europe, a truly unique setting for this ambitious music series.

VISITING MWO
The gate to Mount Wilson’s campus opens at 10:00am daily and closes at 5:00pm from early April through November. Entrance to the grounds is free. Visitors can hike, gaze at the telescope domes and towers that dot the landscape, and take a look at historic Mount Wilson photos and letters in the Museum.

The Cosmic Cafe, located above the main parking lot at the Observatory entrance, is open on weekends in the spring, summer, and fall. In addition to traditional menu items such as hot dogs, drinks, and snacks, the Café offers wraps, salads, and sweet treats from Little Flower.  

LOCATION
Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson Circle Road & Mount Wilson Toll Road
Mount Wilson, CA 91023

On MWO’s website, the “Map” page shows various SoCal routes to the 2 and 210 Freeways which feed into Angeles Crest Highway leading to Red Box Road, which then leads to Mount Wilson Circle Road.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not rely on directions given by phone apps, they can be incorrect. We recommend downloading and printing this PDF map with directions.

PARKING
A U.S. Forest Service Adventure Pass is required to park at the Observatory. A $5 day pass or a $30 dollar annual pass may be purchased at the Cosmic Cafe on weekends between 10:00am and 5:00pm. During the week, passes are available at locations around Los Angeles. The most convenient location before heading up is at the Shell station in La Canada Flintridge at the bottom of the Angeles Crest Highway. Click here to go to the U.S. Forest Service website for more information about Passes and other locations to buy them.

NOT ADA-COMPLIANT
Please be advised that access to the 100-inch dome is via an open-air, 53-step staircase inside the building. There is no ADA-compliant access.

LINKS:

• Mount Wilson Observatory - https://www.mtwilson.edu
• Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome - https://www.mtwilson.edu/concerts
• June 29 Tickets - https://www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert062925
• MWO Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WilsonObs
• MWO Twitter - https://twitter.com/MtWilsonObs 
• MWO Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mtwilsonobservatory
• MWO Images including artist and concert photos - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ayaN3JNIKNbcPYqnxp_ILe9HHvENJGSa?usp=sharing

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For more information, photos, interviews, or press passes—about any of MWO's movie, concert, or lecture series—please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Tejada at lynn@greengalactic.com or 213-840-1201.

For Mount Wilson Observatory, please contact Sarah Emery Bunn at semerybunn@mtwilson.edu or 626-214-8030.