Tamanna Aravind is an 8th grader in Bethel Middle School. She is currently studying piano under Margarita Nuller and violin/viola under Beryl Chacon. Tamanna started her music journey at age 4 at the Suzuki School of Newtown studying piano under Paul Malyszka and violin/viola studies under Bobi Evrova. She also plays the flute studying under Aimee Toner.

Tamanna has been an active member of Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras since 2022 and currently plays violin in the Principal Orchestra. She is also a member of her school’s Premier Band (flute), Premier Jazz Band, (flute/piano) Premier Orchestra(violin) and Premier Choir (piano accompanist).

Tamanna currently interns at King Street Church as the piano accompanist. She has won competitions such as Thomas Rombilus Piano Competition by Bethel Schools and Audrey Thayer Piano Competition by the Hartford Chapter CSMTA. She was invited to perform as a violinist in the pit orchestra for Bethel Middle School’s Beauty and the Beast Musical, as well as the violinist for Bethel High School’s Chicago Musical.

Tamanna has participated in the Carlsbad Music Festival in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic playing the piano and the violin. She won the Carlsbad Festival Chamber Music Competition as the pianist of a piano trio. She made it to the grand finals in the Piano Star International Competition.

Tamanna has been accepted into CMEA Western Region Middle School’s orchestra and band every time she applied. She served as concertmaster of the orchestra in 2024. She has participated in music festivals including the Young Musicians Festival by Schubert Club and Bach Festival, CT. Tamanna has also participated in other programs such as Luzerne Music Center, Young Artist Diploma Program at NMS playing Double Quartet Ensemble, Danbury Strings Orchestra, New Haven Youth Orchestra, Hartt Suzuki Institute and Chamber Music Central.

Outside of music, Tamanna is a member of the Bethel Middle School Debate Team. She participates in Model United Nations conferences as part of Best Delegate. Tamanna is part of the Ski Club in her school, and enjoys traveling to different resorts to ski. She also plays volleyball at her school.

Jasper Gallas is a 17-year-old cellist who has studied under Sarah Shreder for seven years. A senior at Fairfield Warde High School, he is an active member of both the Philharmonic Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, where he serves as principal cellist. Jasper also contributes to the school’s musical community as a dedicated member of Tri-M, the Music Honor Society.

Beyond school, Jasper has been a member of the Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras (GCTYO) since 2019, performing in its highest-level ensemble and serving as principal cellist. Through GCTYO, he has participated extensively in the Quartet Program as well as summer orchestral programs. He has also performed in the musical The Last Five Years with Shelton Center Stage Theatre.

During the 2022–2023 season, Jasper further broadened his musical training by joining the Suzuki Music Schools and was accepted into the CMEA Western Regional Orchestras, recognizing his musical achievement and leadership.

Stephanie Jiang is a 10th grade student at Darien High School. Stephanie won the Deborah Kahan Solo Competition at age six and made her debut at the Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall at the age of eight. She has also performed  at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall, Yale Woolsey Hall, and Cheshire Nelson Hall, as well as a solo recital in the China Conservatory of Music Concert Hall in Beijing. Stephanie studies under Mr. Li Lin, a former violin professor at the Juillard School. This is Stephanie’s 4th year in GCTYO’s Principal Orchestra, which she enjoys very much.

Elias Kolb began studying the cello at the age of three, starting with the Suzuki method under Laura Flachbart. As he progressed, he began studying with Chungsun Kim, a world-renowned soloist and teacher at The Hotchkiss School.

Elias has been a member of the Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestra for four years and of its Principal Orchestra for three years. In the summer of 2023, he served as principal cellist of the Laurel Music Camp Orchestra. In 2024, Elias participated in the WCYO Chamber Music Intensive and performed at the Charles Ives Music Festival. During this time, he performed in the CIMF Concerto Competition as well as in chamber, chamber orchestra, and symphony orchestra ensembles. In 2025, he placed second in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition and had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall.

Outside of music, Elias is an accomplished athlete who rows, swims, and lifts weights.

Gary’s achievements have been highlighted in Hartford Magazine’s 2018 feature “Inspired: A Renaissance of Young Artists,” and the 2023 cover of “The Artful Mind.” With recent solo performances including esteemed ensembles like the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra New England, the New Haven Civic Orchestra, American Chamber Orchestra and the Connecticut Valley Orchestra, Gary remains active as a soloist, chamber musician, and Assistant Concertmaster of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. He has also received first prize in the Paranov Competition, and was honored with the Jerry Malafronte Award for Musical Excellence and the Peter/Wright Music Memorial Prize. In addition to his accomplishments as a performer, Gary is deeply passionate about sharing his expertise in the Alexander Technique and Mindfulness practices, empowering students and fellow musicians to tap into their deepest potential and cultivate a harmonious connection between body and instrument. Formerly faculty at Quinnipiac University, Gary teaches at the Hartt School, Promisek Solo Strings workshops, and the Hotchkiss School. As a founder of chamber ensembles as well as organizations, Gary has performed in concert halls, chamber series’ and music festivals throughout North America, Europe, China and Hong Kong. As the artistic director of the International American Classical Music Festival and the Hartford Classical Music Academy, Gary toured China’s eastern seaboard performing concerts and giving masterclasses, while also fostering the next generation of young Chinese artists wishing to study abroad. He has performed at festivals such as the Kneisel Hall Chamber Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, the Cambridge International Music Academy (UK), Music from Salem, Ode to Joy, and the Texas Music Festival, along with performances in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall, Kings College Chapel and Lyric Hall. Gary founded the Atlas Piano Trio in 2016, and the Kara String Quartet in 2018, and has performed for Music for a 1000 Children and #1000 strings in Ottawa, Canada. Gary studied at SUNY-Purchase Conservatory (B.M.), the New England Conservatory (M.M.) and at the Hartt School (DMA), studying with Laurie Smukler, Lucy Chapman, Nick Kitchen and Katie Lansdale. Gary is currently associate faculty at the Hotchkiss School and Professor of Violin at Quinnipiac University, and has given masterclasses at schools such as Boston Conservatory, The Hartt School, SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, and Central China Normal University.