Positive Motions Series | SAN DIEGO YOUTH CELLO QUARTET +

This concert is a fundraiser to help our young cellists, members of the quartet:

• Julian Wu, winner of the Satori Competition in Los Angeles, MTAC VOCE Competition and San Diego Youth Symphony Concerto competition
• Layina Shate, First Prize winner of 2022 VOCE MTAC San Diego and 2022 Satori Competitions. Third Prize winner of the International Academy of Music competition in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Italy
• Alice Lau, winner of 2025 MTAC VOCE State Competition
• Elaine Wang, winner of 2025 MTAC VOCE State Competition

Meet and get to know our young musicians and their parents at the reception right after the performance with exquisite Temecula and San Diego wine, all kinds soft drinks, yummy cookies, salami & cheese, as well as organic fruits and veggies!

ABOUT THE SERIES:

Positive Motions Concert Series @ Ruslan Conservatory is a project of the Positive Motions Foundation (501©3 non-profit). It presents solo and chamber music recitals monthly on the first Saturday of the month. Designed as an opportunity for the young aspiring musicians to show case their talents it offers an excellent opportunity for the audiences to enjoy fine music in the closest proximity to the performers in a truly intimate settings with an excellent drink/food reception and “get to know artists” afterwards. All the proceeds and donations from the ticket sales are distributed to the performers. Ruslan Biryukov is the artistic director of the series. If you desire to perform at our concert series please submit your requests: [email protected] Please include bio, picture, suggested program and possibly video unedited recording(s) of your performances.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Julian Wu is a freshman at Westview High School in San Diego, California. He started learning piano at age 5, and switched to cello when he was 10. Upon being invited to the MTAC State Convention in 2018, he has earned awards in the VOCE competition, Sinfonia SDYS concerto competition, and Satori Strings Festival. In the past, he has attended in the Civic Youth Orchestra, and is currently playing for the San Diego Youth Symphony. Outside of music, he likes to play basketball, participate in programming competitions, and spend time with his family and pets.

Layina Shate is a 15-year-old freshman at The Bishop's School. She has been studying under Ruslan Biryukov for over two years now, learning to cumulate her passion into the art of the cello. Besides participating in Ruslan's chamber group, Yina enjoys her weekends at San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS), playing in her school's jazz ensemble, and helping out as a guest musician for various school social-events. She also enjoys staying active with field hockey, playing the piano, listening to music, and reading. Yina completed Level 10 of the Certificate of Merit with State Honors and convention, received first prize at the 2022 Open Division Satori Summer Music Festival Solo category, as well as a 2023 VOCE Finalist. Throughout her time at SDYS, she has been principle cellist twice in the past two ensembles, and currently is part of SDYS's Ovation symphony orchestra. In the Summer of 2023 Layina was awarded Third Prize at the International Academy of Music competition in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Italy.

Alice Lau

Elaine Wang

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