Weiru Sheng
Violin
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Weiru was accepted into the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (BM)
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MM - Columbus State University
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BM - Columbus State University
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Toured internationally as W.E. Duo member
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Students have received prizes in many competitions
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Many students got accepted to music schools and conservatories.
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Has high passing rate in the All-State Competition.
Weiru Sheng is a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher from China. Weiru holds a master degree from the Schwob School of Music, Columbus State University. Weiru was named the second prize of the 2017 Regional(Southern)MTNA Artist String Division and second prize of 2017 LaGrange Symphony Orchestra concerto competition. Other rewards include Winner -2016 Georgia MTNA Artist String Division 2015 Atlanta Music Club Scholarship Competition, 2nd prize – 2015 Georgia MTNA Artist String Division, Winner – 2014 Georgia MTNA Artist String Division, Winner – Schwob School of Music Concerto Competition in 2013. Weiru was accepted by the Shanghai Conservatory School of Music. She has also won numerous competitions in China including 1st prize – Instrumental Competition of the Art Festival for middle and high school in the Zhejiang province, 1st prize – National Chamber Ensemble Competition in the Art Festival for middle and elementary school. Weiru has played numerous solo recitals. In 2016, she was invited to play for the former first lady Mrs. Carter. Along with guitarist Erdong Li, an international guitarist, they formed the W.E. duo. After winning the Southern Guitar Competition, they went on tour across China with over 20 concerts in the major hall and festivals. They recorded the album History of Tango in 2017 which has won silver medal in Global Music Award.
Weiru's orchestral experience has included principal violinist of Columbus State Orchestra, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Lagrange Symphony Orchestra, and has been a member of the first violin section of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in Columbus Georgia since her freshman year.
About Weiru Sheng
Bailey Bennett
Double Bass / Bass Guitar
(BM) Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music
(MM) University of Northern Colorado
Performed at world famous venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheater, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center
Performed with jazz singer Dianne Reeves, rap group Wu-Tang Clan, two members of the Berlin Philharmonic, and other internationally renowned soloists
Private and group teaching experience spanning nearly a decade
Originally from Powder Springs, Georgia, Bailey Bennett is an up and coming professional musician in the metro-Atlanta area. Beginning his studies on the double bass at the age of 16, he quickly found his way into several youth orchestras in the area under the tutelage of Gloria Jones Allgood, Associate Principal Bass of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
After only two years of study, he was accepted into Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music where he studied primarily studied with Kurt Muroki, receiving additional instruction from Jeffrey Turner, Bruce Bransby, and Lawrence Hurst. While studying at JSOM, he participated in side-by-side rehearsals with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra, performed in numerous studio classes and master classes, and performed with five different school orchestras.
Bailey moved to Colorado in 2020 to continue his studies at University of Northern Colorado as a graduate teaching assistant and on full scholarship. At UNC, he studied with Nicholas Recuber, Assistant Principal of the Colorado Symphony. In Colorado, he began his freelance career after a successful audition with the Fort Collins Symphony. Shortly after that audition, he also began subbing with several other orchestras such as: the Colorado Symphony, Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Boulder Symphony, the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, and more.
About Bailey Bennett
Yudian Yang, a dedicated and accomplished violinist, began her musical journey in Chengdu, China, at the age of three and a half under the guidance of Shen Yan. She has won numerous prestigious national and international competitions and has extensive experience performing in orchestras and chamber ensembles. Her career highlights include performances in major television music programs and leadership roles in esteemed ensembles.
About Yudian Yang
William Slater
Cello
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Graduating with Bachelor of Arts in Cello Performance & Music Theory
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Faculty at the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus string summer camp
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Performed with musicians of all genres from: hip-hop, folk, indie, and classical
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Active member of Lawrenceville and Univeristy of Georgia symphony orchestras
William Slater is a cellist from Columbus GA, who is studying under James Kim at the University
of Georgia. He has also received instruction from Itamar Zorman, and the members of the
Borromeo string quartet. William has played as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra
member in the United States as well as performances in Italy. William is currently a member of
the University of Georgia as well as the Lawrenceville symphony orchestras. As an advocate for
new music, he has premiered many works by new composers, and has collaborated with local
artists, such as Athens rapper Squalle. In addition to performing, William also serves as a cello
instructor, having worked with students ages 7 to 17 years as faculty for the Youth Orchestra of
Greater Columbus Summer String Camp.
About William Slater
Sarah Ling
Violin
(BM) University of Georgia, Hugh Hodgson School of Music
Suzuki Violin instructor (Books 1–8)
Member of ARCO Chamber Orchestra
Midwest Regional Champion at the Midwest Fleadh in Traditional Irish Fiddle; competed in various Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann music competitions (2013–2019)
Private and group teaching experience with students of all ages and skill levels
Originally from Alpharetta, Georgia, Sarah Ling discovered her love for the violin at the age of five and has been sharing her passion for music ever since. Between 2013 and 2019, she was a Midwest Regional Champion in Traditional Irish Fiddle in the U.S. and went on to compete internationally in Ireland’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in fiddle, duets, trios, and céilí band. In 2021, she began performing with the ARCO Chamber Orchestra while pursuing her studies at the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education in May 2025. As a certified Suzuki instructor through Book 8, Sarah brings energy, warmth, and dedication to every lesson. She also is a current member of the Phoenix Céilí Band and regularly teaches workshops and performs at IrishFest Atlanta. Sarah is passionate about creating a supportive, inclusive learning environment where students of all ages, levels, and backgrounds can grow and develop a lifelong love of music.
About Sarah Ling
Mingyang Gao is a professional violinist, chamber musician, and teacher with over ten years of teaching experience. She is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate on full scholarship at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Prof. Kurt Sassmannshaus and serves as his teaching assistant.
She has performed with orchestras including the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, China National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra, China National Ballet Symphony Orchestra, and Suzhou Symphony Orchestra, and is currently a guest violinist with the Atlanta Opera.
In her teaching, Mingyang focuses on building a solid technical foundation while helping students develop musical expression and confidence. She works with students of different levels, from beginners to those preparing for auditions and competitions.
About Mingyang Gao
David Edwards
Violin
David earned a BM in Violin Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music
David has performed chamber and orchestral music in many concert halls throughout the United States, as well as abroad in China and Japan
15 years of teaching experience
Many of David's students have been accepted into Georgia All-State and local youth orchestras
David is an active orchestral and chamber musician and teacher in the Atlanta
area whose career has taken his as far abroad as China and Japan. As an orchestral musician, David performs regularly as a member of the Savannah Philharmonic, and the Augusta, Columbus, and Greenville Symphony Orchestras.
David studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music with David Updegraff, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in 2002. While at Cleveland Institute of Music, David had the great fortune of studying chamber music with Peter Salaff, an original member of the prestigious Cleveland Quartet. David also studied chamber music with members of the Cavani Quartet.
While in high school, David served as concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra during his junior and senior years, and was selected as concertmaster of the Georgia All-State Orchestra his senior year.
David has over a decade of experience teaching students of all ages and levels, and looks forward to many more years guiding budding young musicians along their musical paths.
About David Edwards
Giulliana Scaramazza
Violin
Bilingual
Trained in Venezuela's El Sistema from age three at the José Luis Paz Music Conservatory (núcleo), under the Conservatorio Simón Bolívar in Caracas
Semifinalist, 2026 Glenn Miller Festival; competitor in the Sphinx Competition and Brumby Concerto Competition
Pursuing BM in Music Education at Kennesaw State University (full scholarship)
Concertmaster – Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra and YOLA National Chamber Orchestra LA Phil's YOLA National Institute, Alumna -Performed under Maestro Gustavo Dudamel with the YOLA National Symphony Orchestra
Young Artist in Residence – Johns Creek Symphony (2nd year)
Founder & President, Violin Chapter, Georgia State University
Vice President, GSU ASTA Chapter
Giulliana Scaramazza is a bilingual violinist and educator trained from age three in Venezuela's El Sistema. An alumna of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's YOLA National Institute, she performed under Maestro Gustavo Dudamel with the YOLA National Symphony Orchestra in Los Angeles and has held concertmaster titles with the Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra, the YOLA National Chamber Orchestra, and multiple Georgia ensembles, and is a semifinalist of the 2026 Glenn Miller Festival. Giulliana has taught violin and piano privately since 2021 and currently serves as a Chamber Coach with MYSO. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education on a full scholarship at Kennesaw State University, where she also founded the university's Violin Chapter, and is a Young Artist in Residence with the Johns Creek Symphony.