MUSICIAN BIO
SHEENA GAO
Violinst
Beautiful performance and captivating stage presence is how you would describe the international violist Sheena Gao when she takes the stage. During her music career, Gao frequently performed as solo violinist on stage and television in her native country of People’s Republic China, she has also recorded for movies and television soundtracks, radio, and has been featured in many newspapers in China and U.S. As a violinist, Gao is soulful and romantic; her unique music interpretation can be attributed to her upbringings.
Born to a family of renowned architects, Ms Gao started her violin study at the tender age of 7 in her home country of China. Ms. Gao had established fame for her performances in the city of Nanjing. At the age of 18, Gao was accepted into the well known Nanjing Institute of Fine Arts, where she pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Violin Performance. Prior to being accepted to the institute, Gao had already made her solo debut with the Symphony Orchestra at the Nanjing Institute of Fine Arts. Gao was awarded scholastics and top violinist during her study.
During her senior year at the Music Department, Ms. Gao participated in the National Professional Young Violinist Competition and won third place with her performance of Glazunov Violin Concerto in A Minor. Gao was also awarded scholarship for outstanding academic performance.
In addition to her solo violin music career , Gao also performed as the first violinist with the Minneapolis Trio, Bella String Quartet, F-M Symphony, and Nanjing Musician Group. Gao was selected to perform for Itzhak Perlman at his honorary event in Minneapolis. As a violinist and artist, Gao traveled to France, Italy, UK, Greece, Croatia, Switzerland Egypt, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, where she drew inspirations for her music and art, gaining profound cultural understanding of the world.
LAURA KRUSEMARK
Pianist
Laura Krusemark has been described by many as a true Renaissance woman. She is an artist in every sense of the word with skills spanning not only in piano performance but from fine arts oil painting, illustration, and bronze sculpting to textile/ surface treatments/embroidery and sewing in fashion design.
Krusemark began playing piano at age nine and continued her studies under Robert Moeling, a concert pianist from Holland, while earning her B.F.A with a duel focus in Fine Arts and Piano Performance from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. She was granted a full ride scholarship for her superior performances while in college.
Laura attended the Park City Music Festival in Park City, Utah where she gave concerts with a trio composed of violin, cello, and piano. She was also part of the Ling Concert Series in Lindsborg featuring well -known international musicians with a focus on chamber music. Since then, she has accompanied many musicians and singers for weddings, recitals, and other special events some of which include performing at the famous W Hotel in downtown Chicago for a pre-fashion show VIP party.
Not only does Laura hold a B.F.A. in Fine Arts but has also received a B.F.A. in Fashion Design from the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago and showed multiple fashion collections on the runway.
With her multi-dimensional talents, Krusemark brings a well-balanced and artistic approach to her performances that are truly captivating and inspiring.
