Strings
Studio

Instruments include violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Lesson options include 1 on 1, group, and parent-child lessons.

Meet our teachers

Weiru Sheng

Violin

Weiru was accepted into the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (BM)
MM - Columbus State University
BM - Columbus State University
Toured internationally as W.E. Duo member
Students have received prizes in many competitions
Many students got accepted to music schools and conservatories.
Has high passing rate in the All-State Competition.

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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

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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

Hermes Mejia

Violin / Viola

(MM) Western Illinois University

(BM) Seton Hill University

National Symphony Orchestra in Santo Domingo

Quincy Symphony Orchestra

Suzuki Association of the Americas

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Mr. Mejia earned his Master’s Degree in Music Performance at Western Illinois University. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Seton Hill University. His professional affiliations include: the Georgia Music Educators Association, and the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

Mr. Mejia currently teaches as Orchestra director at Gwinnett County Public Schools and as a private instructor for violin and viola. Before his commitment to GCPS, Mr. Mejia was the Director of the Youth String Orchestra for the Community Music School at Western Illinois University. He also taught violin and orchestra in the Dominican Republic at Escuela de Musica Elila Mena. His students can be seen at All-State orchestras, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra, and GCYS.

As a professional violinist, Mr. Mejia has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra in Santo Domingo, Quincy Symphony Orchestra (Illinois), Columbus, Macon, and Valdosta Symphony Orchestras (Georgia). He is also a private violin/viola instructor of the Suzuki Method.

About Hermes Mejia

William Slater

Violin & Viola

Graduating with Bachelor of Arts in Cello Performance & Music Theory
Faculty at the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus string summer camp
Performed with musicians of all genres from: hip-hop, folk, indie, and classical
Active member of Lawrenceville and Univeristy of Georgia symphony orchestras

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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

Yudan Yang

Violin

Violin Performance (Solo, Orchestral, Chamber)

Music Education and Coaching

Competition and Audition Preparation

Ensemble Leadership

Television and Live Performance

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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 Yudan Yang

Danielle Najarian

Violin

Undergraduate at the Butler School of Music

Worked with many renowned artists such as Emerson Quartet, Sandy Yamamoto, Miro Quartet, and Sonja Foster

Attended prestigious music festivals including Tanglewood, Brevard, and Interlochen

Worked with students of all levels and ages for 5+ years

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Danielle Najarian is an active soloist and chamber musician. Danielle has been studying at the Butler School of Music at UT Austin but was also accepted to many universities such as Baylor University, Oberlin Conservatory, Columbus State University, and University of Georgia. She had won many awards such as the National School Award, the US Marines “Semper Fidelis” award, and a winner of the American Protégé Competition, debuting at Carnegie hall at 14 years old. She had been a participant of GMEA All-State Orchestra for 7 years and has been Associate Concertmaster for ASYO and EYSO and Concertmaster of Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra. At age 8 Danielle collaborated as a soloist with the Johns Creek Symphony and has since soloed with GYSO, Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Festival, and the Milton High School chamber Orchestra.

Strings
Studio

Weiru Sheng

About Weiru Sheng

Bailey Bennett

About Bailey Bennett

Hermes Mejia

About Hermes Mejia

William Slater

About William Slater

Yudan Yang

About Yudan Yang

Danielle Najarian

About Danielle Najarian

Ready to begin at WE Academy?

Leave us a message and we will get back to you soon!

Strings Studio

Weiru Sheng

About Weiru Sheng

Bailey Bennett

About Bailey Bennett

Hermes Mejia

About Hermes Mejia

William Slater

About William Slater

Yudan Yang

About Yudan Yang

Danielle Najarian

About Danielle Najarian

Ready to begin at WE Academy?

Leave us a message and we will get back to you soon!

Strings
Studio