Yanyan Lin performed Haydn D Major Cello Concerto at age 19 with Shanghai Conservatory Orchestra as his solo debut in Shanghai He-luting Hall. He has been invited by festivals such as Piatigorsky International Cello Festival, Encuentro de Santander, Seiji Ozawa Academy, Ravinia Festival, Cello Akademie Rutesheim Cellofest.fi, Saito Kinen Festival and Shanghai International Cello Festival. He is also the laureate of the China National Chamber Music Competition and the American Protégé Competition He has participated in masterclasses with world-renowned artists such as Jian Wang, Steven Isserlis, Gary Hoffman, David Geringas, Jens-Peter Maintz and Mario Brunello. Yanyan Lin is currently a PhD student at the Royal Academy of Music. He has accomplished the Artist Diploma and master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music with Prof. Jo Cole and Christoph Richter, with the support of the full scholarship from ABRSM and Hans Keller Award. He received his Bachelor at the Shanghai Conservatoire with Prof. Li Jiwu. He currently plays on a Genaro Gagliano 1764 Violoncello, kindly lent by the Royal Academy of Music Museum.

Most recently, Umi Garrett was awarded 4th prize at the 2020 National Chopin Competition and 1st prize in the Juilliard School’s concerto competition, performing Ravel’s G Major Concerto. As a soloist, she has also performed with many renowned orchestras, such as the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra, Wuhan Symphony Orchestra, Liepaja Symphony Orchestra, Symphonia Boca Raton, the Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra, the Pasadena Symphony and Pops, the Boston Pops, the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. As a passionate collaborator and chamber musician, she has performed with prizewinners in the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition, 2022 Sphinx Competition, and 2023 Montreal International Violin Competition, where she received the award for best collaborative pianist. Umi has recorded 3 solo albums and will be releasing her debut chamber album in 2023 of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 5 Sonatas for Piano and Cello with Emily Mantone. Umi is a proud recipient of the Kovner Fellowship at The Juilliard School, where she currently studies with Hung Kuan Chen. Umi is a Young Steinway Artist.