Laura Ansaldi
Internationally acclaimed Italian lyrical spinto soprano renowned for her powerful vocal presence, expressive artistry, and exceptional coloratura technique. With over 15 years of international stage experience, she has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including La Scala, Carnegie Hall, Opéra Bastille, Royal Albert Hall, KKL Luzern, and the Boston Opera House. Her operatic repertoire spans major leading roles such as Aida, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, Don Carlo, Nabucco, and Cavalleria Rusticana. Alongside her operatic career, she is recognized for innovative productions that combine opera with theatrical and immersive artistic elements. Her multidisciplinary background includes studies in voice, piano, acting, improvisation, and business across Italy, London, and Switzerland.
Ruixun Xu
Ruixun Xu began studying violin at the age of four and a half and is currently a student at the Middle School affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where she studies under renowned violin professor Tong Weidong. In 2023, she was admitted to the school with the highest ranking among external applicants.
An active young violinist, Ruixun has participated in numerous international masterclasses and festivals, studying with distinguished artists including Paul Roczek, Zakhar Bron, Friedemann Eichhorn, Marianne Piketty, and Sung-Ju Lee. She attended the Mozarteum Salzburg Summer Academy in 2024 and has appeared in cultural exchange concerts and international chamber music competitions.
In 2025, she performed Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 with the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra at the “Rising Star” Concert and later collaborated with the Bulgarian National Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1. She also won First Prize in the Professional Junior Chamber Music Category at the 4th Europe-China International Music Competition.
Ruixun presented her debut solo recital in April 2026 and is increasingly recognized as a promising young violinist of her generation.
Alberto Cartuccia Cingolani
Alberto Cartuccia Cingolani is an extraordinary young Italian pianist born in 2017, internationally recognized for his remarkable musical talent and exceptional artistic maturity at a very early age. He began studying piano during the 2020 lockdown under the guidance of his parents, both professional musicians, and quickly gained international attention through major piano competitions worldwide.
Despite his young age, Alberto has already won over 100 first prizes and grand prizes in prestigious national and international competitions across Italy, Austria, Spain, Poland, France, the United Kingdom, and beyond, including the Steinway Competition, International Mozart Competition Vienna, BTHVN Wien, and numerous European piano awards. His performances have attracted millions of online views, drawing widespread international media attention. As both soloist and orchestral performer, he has appeared at important festivals, cultural institutions, and television broadcasts throughout Europe, including appearances connected with Rai, Canale 5, the Vatican, Teatro Bibiena in Mantua, and the Mozarteum in Salzburg. In 2023, he received the prestigious “Music Award” at the 21st G. Sciacca Prize ceremony held at the Vatican.
Arianna Lu
Arianna Lu is a nine-year-old pianist from the San Francisco Bay Area and currently studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Academy under Professor John McCarthy. Recognized as an exceptional young talent, she passed the ABRSM Piano Performance Grade 8 with Distinction and Music Theory Grade 5 at the age of five, and recently received the Associate of the Royal Schools of Music (ARSM) diploma with Distinction.
Arianna is the recipient of numerous international awards, including prizes from the Golden Classical Music Awards, Grand Prize Virtuoso, American Protégé, Charleston International Competition, Junior Bach, and MTAC Concerto Competition. She was also awarded the First Prize Plaque Trophy and Judges Distinction Award at the American Protégé International Concerto Competition.
Despite her young age, Arianna has already performed at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall in New York, Philharmonie de Paris. She is deeply passionate about exploring a wide range of repertoire and is increasingly recognized for her expressive musical artistry and maturity on stage.
Owen Zhuang
Owen Zhuang began studying piano at the age of four and has trained with Hans Boepple, Lena Grozman, and his current instructor, John McCarthy. In 2024, he was admitted to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College, where he continues to develop his musical artistry.
Owen has received top prizes in competitions including Pacific Music Society competition, Chicago International Music Competition, Hartford International Chopin Competition, USOMC Showcase Solo Competition, CAPMT Contemporary and Honors Competitions, IPPA National Piano Competition, and the USIMC Young Artist Piano Solo, where he also received the Chinese Music Award.
Beyond piano, Owen has been playing the violin since 2022 and currently serves as Concertmaster of the Camerata Orchestra in the Golden State Youth Orchestra. Outside of music, he enjoys skiing, swimming, and traveling. He has competed in Far West Alpine Ski Races and swims with the DACA swim team.
Nichita RUSU
Nichita RUSU (b. 2008) is a young Romanian pianist and rising high school senior, entering his 12th and final year of Solo Piano studies at the "George Enescu" National College of Music in Bucharest, under the guidance of Prof. Mihaela Predoiu. A highly versatile young musician, his training also encompasses percussion, guitar, violin, chamber music, music theory, harmony, counterpoint and composition.
Nichita has actively developed his artistry by participating in prestigious international masterclasses and workshops across Austria, Italy, and Romania under renowned professors and mentors including V. Kharin, J. Stancul, M. Chernyavska, I. Vaterl, V. Moroianu, C. Sandu, A. Liculescu, A. Suciu, H. Kawamura, V. Genin, F. Mitrea, G. Mazzoccante, etc. Additionally, he has expanded his musical horizons through specialized workshops in harpsichord, organ, choral conducting, and film music composition.
His dedication has earned him numerous awards and distinctions at national and international youth competitions. Beyond solo performance, Nichita is also an active choir accompanist and arranger.