As the inaugural chamber ensemble-in-residence, the Viano String Quartet will help build the family of chamber music on campus and in the community.
Next fall, the Viano String Quartet (Lucy Wang, violin; Hao Zhou, violin; Aiden Kane, viola; Tate Zawadiuk, cello) will be the first ensemble to take part in the Conservatory’s Graduate Chamber Ensemble-in-Residence program. As an award-winning quartet and strong advocates for community engagement, the group encapsulates the program’s goals: to highlight chamber music as a pillar of Colburn and to build the family of chamber music on campus and in the community.
“They’re such good exponents of chamber music, and we felt that the Viano Quartet would be enthusiastic community builders,” said Scott St. John, Director of Chamber Music.
As the ensemble-in-residence, the Viano Quartet will benefit from coachings, performance opportunities, and teaching possibilities. The quartet members, who are each current Colburn students, chose to come back as an ensemble because of “the support and generosity from the Colburn community,” as they shared over email. “We have a tremendous amount of respect for Colburn and the standard it upholds, and we are honored to be chosen as the inaugural quartet-in-residence.”
Besides growing as a quartet, the Vianos will also take on a leadership role in community engagement. They’ll work with Nate Zeisler, Dean for Community Initiatives, and the Center for Innovation and Community Impact to spearhead a new concert series and interactive presentations at local schools.
During the two-year program, the quartet will use their time to perform as much as possible, as well as to explore new opportunities. “Los Angeles has a vibrant performing arts scene and we’re enthusiastic about establishing relationships with artists and composers in the area to work on new and unique projects,” the Vianos wrote.
After their residency, they’ll be able to continue their careers with even more momentum, building on the experience they will have gained. Their goal is to travel and share classical music with audiences around the world.
“All four of them are very passionate about what they do. I think that’s the kind of spirit that chamber music should be about, that joy of discovery, the communication between not only your own group but also with the larger community,” said Scott St. John.