ZhongLing Li
[founding member]

ZhongLing Li has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in her native China as well as in the US and Europe. She is the exclusive winner of the 2006 Arthur W. Foote Award from the Harvard Musical Association. In May 2005, Ms. Li was awarded the Dan David Prize for Performing Arts, dedicated to only 20 people in the world with proven and exceptional excellence in sciences, arts, and humanities.

She made her solo debut with the Boston Pops in May 2004 as the winner of the Boston University 2004 Soloists’ Competition. Ms. Li holds both a Doctoral and a Master of Music degree from Boston University, where she studied with Prof.Dana Mazurkevich. During her studies at Boston University she was awarded distinctions such as the Grand Prize in the 2001 Bach Competition and recognition as an Outstanding Student in 2004. Ms. Li received her Bachelor of Music degree from Shanghai Conservatory, where she was winner of both the Shanghai Bach and Mozart Competitions. Ms. Li is a former member of the China National Symphony Orchestra, with whom she toured extensively throughout Europe and Asia. She currently teaches at Northeastern University Music Department.

Andy Tsai - Violin and Viola  [founding member]

Born in New Haven Connecticut and inspired by his uncle, violinist Nai-Yuan Hu, Grand Prize Winner of the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Competition, Andy began his violin studies at the age of 4. He first appeared on national television by the age of 5.

He is winner of numerous competitions including the Boston Classical Orchestra Concerto Competition, Boston Chinese Concerto competition, and Boston University Bach Competition. He received the String Department Special Award from the New England Conservatory.

In Taiwan he has performed as soloist in Taipei 's National Hall with the North American Elite Orchestra. He then went on perform as soloist throughout Taiwan as part of their summer tour. His performances were broadcast over national television and radio. They were also recorded and published on CD.

Some of the other orchestras Andy has performed as soloist are, the Lexington Sinfonietta, Lexington Chamber Orchestra, and Colorado String in the Mountains Orchestra.

Andy received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, studying violin with Eric Rosenblith. He went on to receive his Masters in Music Degree, studying viola with Steve Ansell, from Boston University . His previous teachers include Roman Totenberg, Nai-Yuan Hu, and James Dunham.

Nikola Takov - violin [founding member]

A Native of Sofia , Bulgaria, Mr. Takov began playing violin at the age of five. He received his Bachelors Degree in Violin Performance from Louisiana State University and his Masters of Music from Boston University. His principle teachers include Yuri Mazurkevich, Kevork Mardrossian, Dora Ivanova, and Elmar Oliviera. Mr. Takov has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe in solo, chamber and orchestral settings. Nikola Takov has won competitions and has appeared as a soloist with numerous ensembles in Europe and the United States, as well as performing in numerous master classes including those held by David Cerone, Joseph Silverstein, Camila Wicks, Sergiu Luca, and Charles Castleman. Mr. Takov currently performs with the Portland Symphony, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Indian Hill Symphony.