Members
Roger Shao, Violin
Roger Shao is a violinist, composer and music producer, born in China in 2000. At the age of five, his musical journey began with the piano, followed by the violin at six, under the guidance of Irina Breslavskaya. Noteworthy achievements include achieving the junior third prize at the Chinese Gold Bell Award Youth Competition in 2013, becoming the concertmaster of the Hangzhou Youth Orchestra in 2014 where he performed Vivaldis Four Seasons as a soloist at the Hangzhou Grand Theatre, and winning second place at the Hong Kong International Violin Competition in 2017.
Roger completed his Bachelor of Music degree with Honors at Mannes School of Music, studying with Ann Setzer. He has also worked with other esteemed pedagogues including Daniel Panner, Edna Michell and renowned violinists such as Ning Feng and Leila Josefowicz. Currently he is pursuing his master’s degree at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Masao Kawasaki and Daniel Phillips.
Beyond his violin endeavors, he also delves into composition and producing independently. Embracing a wide spectrum from classical to contemporary sounds, Roger seeks to weave these influences into his compositions, crafting a colorful blend of musical languages.
Roger performs on a Gand & Bernadel violin on loan from The Juilliard School.
Anthony Chan, Violin
With a repertoire spanning solo, chamber, and orchestra performances, Australian violinist Anthony Chan—a second-year master’s student studying with Daniel Phillips and Ronald Copes—has performed at the Sydney Opera House and Hamer Hall in Melbourne. He has attended festivals Including the Music Academy of the West, Aspen Music Festival, Vivace International Music Festival, and Keshet Eilon Summer Mastercourse Series. He also plays regularly with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and Canberra Symphony Orchestra and was a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra, which he joined on its 2019 international Tour. He has also collaborated in chamber performances with Joshua Bell, Steven Isserlis, Jeremy Denk, and Richard O’Neill. Chan has received chamber music coachings by members of the Borromeo, Pacifica, and Juilliard quartets and mentorship from Merry Peckham, Joseph Lin, and Jerome Löwenthal.
An avid educator, Chan began teaching as a music scholar at Sydney Grammar School, mentoring students in chamber music during his senior year. As a Morse Fellow, he visits public school classrooms in New York on a weekly basis as an artist-educator. Alongside his studies, he maintains a small private studio.
Chan holds a bachelor’s from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Nicholas Kitchen and Ayano Ninomiya. Chan performs on a 1775 GB Guadagagnini violin on generous loan from Juilliard alongside a bow crafted by Charles Peccatte.
Brian Jennings, Viola
Born in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Brian Jennings began his musical and viola studies at age 11. As an avid chamber musician, Brian has performed on the Recovered Voices series with cellist Darret Adkins at the Aspen Music Festival, the New Series at The Juilliard School, the Bach in Baltimore concert series, the Amadeus concert series, and with The Concert Truck.
During past summers, Brian has attended The Taos School of Music, The Aspen Music Festival and School, The Bowdoin International Music Festival, Red Rocks Chamber Music Festival, and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival.
Brian is passionate about community engagement and music education. During his time at The Peabody Institute he was a member of the Bridges Music Program, where he taught weekly group lessons for elementary school students in Baltimore City. He also maintains a private studio, with past students currently studying at The Peabody Institute, The University of South Carolina, and The College of Charleston.
As a student, Brian has had the privilege to work with musicians Maria Lambros, Michael Kannen, Mai Motobuchi, Jeffrey Irvine, Matthew Lipman, James Dunham, Che-Yen Chen, Cynthia Phelps, Choong-Jin Chang, and Ben Ullery. Brian received his undergraduate degree in Viola performance from The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, where he studied with Victoria Chiang. Currently, he is pursuing his Masters at The Juilliard School studying with Heidi Castleman and Misha Amory.
Brian performs on a Gaetano Sgarabotto viola on loan from The Juilliard School.
Wilson Vanderslice, Cello
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Wilson Vanderslice began his musical and cello studies at age 11. He has appeared as a soloist with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and played for former President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Presidential Library in recent years. During summers, Wilson has attended ThyKammer Musik, AlpenkammerMusik, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Heifetz International Music Institute, Vivace Summer Festival, Keshet Eilon, and Orford Musique among others.
Wilson received his Undergraduate degree in Cello Performance and a minor in History from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Guy Johnston. Currently, he is pursuing his Masters at The Juilliard School studying with Astrid Schween and Clara Kim. Past teachers include Steven Doane, Hannah Roberts, and Stephen Feldman. Masterclass teachers include Frans Helmerson, Claudio Bohorquez, Clive Greensmith, Yeesun Kim, and Johannes Moser.
Wilson performs on a 1780 Benjamin Banks cello and a Paul Martin Siefried Bow that is on generous loan from the Maestro Foundation.