Bacco Liu, Violin
Te-Chiang (Bacco) Liu, is a native of Taiwan. Mr. Liu started the violin at age of six, and was awarded the top prize at the Taiwan National Violin Competition in the Youth Division in 1996. Mr. Liu was accepted by the Queensland Conservatorium in Australia to study with renowned Australian Teacher, Carmel Kaine and won all Violin Prizes for two consecutive years. Te-Chiang received a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance with Honor from Shih-Chien University, and was selected to be the Concertmaster for the National Defense Symphony Orchestra where he performed several state banquets for the President of Taiwan. Te-Chiang was offered full scholarships to attend the Boston Conservatory where he received a Masters Degree to study with Professor Lynn Chang in Violin Performance in 2009. Te-Chiang has been the Concertmaster at numerous orchestra and chamber concerts at the Boston Conservatory and has participated in a collaborative performance with renowned artist Yo-Yo Ma and Lynn Chang, where he was selected to lead the Hememway String Chamber Ensemble in 2009.
Mr. Liu came to University of Minnesota for Doctoral of Music Arts degree to study with Professor Young-Nam Kim with full scholarships. Te-Chiang has been a soloist with various orchestras in Taiwan a, Australia and United States. He was also invited to perform in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany and U.S throughout the years. In addition, Te-Chiang has been an enthusiastic orchestral musician. He was invited to attend Tanglewood Music Festival in 2009 to work closely and perform with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Te-Chiang is currently the Concertmaster of the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Minnesota Symphony, and also a substitute musician for both Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra. He also teaches as the Violin/Viola Faculty at Macphail Center for Music and, Southwest Minnesota State University.
Te-Chiang (Bacco) Liu, is a native of Taiwan. Mr. Liu started the violin at age of six, and was awarded the top prize at the Taiwan National Violin Competition in the Youth Division in 1996. Mr. Liu was accepted by the Queensland Conservatorium in Australia to study with renowned Australian Teacher, Carmel Kaine and won all Violin Prizes for two consecutive years. Te-Chiang received a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance with Honor from Shih-Chien University, and was selected to be the Concertmaster for the National Defense Symphony Orchestra where he performed several state banquets for the President of Taiwan. Te-Chiang was offered full scholarships to attend the Boston Conservatory where he received a Masters Degree to study with Professor Lynn Chang in Violin Performance in 2009. Te-Chiang has been the Concertmaster at numerous orchestra and chamber concerts at the Boston Conservatory and has participated in a collaborative performance with renowned artist Yo-Yo Ma and Lynn Chang, where he was selected to lead the Hememway String Chamber Ensemble in 2009.
Mr. Liu came to University of Minnesota for Doctoral of Music Arts degree to study with Professor Young-Nam Kim with full scholarships. Te-Chiang has been a soloist with various orchestras in Taiwan a, Australia and United States. He was also invited to perform in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany and U.S throughout the years. In addition, Te-Chiang has been an enthusiastic orchestral musician. He was invited to attend Tanglewood Music Festival in 2009 to work closely and perform with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Te-Chiang is currently the Concertmaster of the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Minnesota Symphony, and also a substitute musician for both Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra. He also teaches as the Violin/Viola Faculty at Macphail Center for Music and, Southwest Minnesota State University.
Cindy Min, Violin
Hsin-Yin Min, is a native of Taipei, Taiwan. Miss Min started to play the violin at age of seven, and was awarded the 1st prize in the Taipei City Violin Competition in Youth Division 1993. Miss Min received Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Taipei Municipal University of Education, and was a regular performing violinist of several television broadcast shows. In 2007, Hsin-Yin was awarded scholarships to attend the Boston Conservatory where she received her Master's Degree in Violin Performance to study with Professor Lynn Chang. Miss Min was offered fellowships to study with Professor Young-Nam Kim at University of Minnesota for Doctoral of Musical Arts in Violin Performance in 2011. Hsin-Yin has been a regular substitute musician to perform with Boston Civic Symphony, Quad Cities Symphony orchestra, Duluth Superior Symphony orchestra, and Minnesota Orchestra. Hsin-Yin is currently the principal second violin of Southwest Minnesota Orchestra and the violin instructor of Yinghua Academy Conservatory of Music.
Hsin-Yin Min, is a native of Taipei, Taiwan. Miss Min started to play the violin at age of seven, and was awarded the 1st prize in the Taipei City Violin Competition in Youth Division 1993. Miss Min received Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Taipei Municipal University of Education, and was a regular performing violinist of several television broadcast shows. In 2007, Hsin-Yin was awarded scholarships to attend the Boston Conservatory where she received her Master's Degree in Violin Performance to study with Professor Lynn Chang. Miss Min was offered fellowships to study with Professor Young-Nam Kim at University of Minnesota for Doctoral of Musical Arts in Violin Performance in 2011. Hsin-Yin has been a regular substitute musician to perform with Boston Civic Symphony, Quad Cities Symphony orchestra, Duluth Superior Symphony orchestra, and Minnesota Orchestra. Hsin-Yin is currently the principal second violin of Southwest Minnesota Orchestra and the violin instructor of Yinghua Academy Conservatory of Music.
Chi-Chi Bestmann, Viola
Violist and conductor Chi-Chi Lin Bestmann enjoys a diverse career, from performing Mozart in Carnegie Hall to jamming with rapper Jay Z at Radio City Music Hall to conducting The Annual Westchester All-County Orchestra Festival. Her ability to straddle both roles of musician and conductor across different genres, has led her to venues including Saturday Night Live, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and Merkin Hall, performing with such artists including Kurt Masur, Beyoncé, and Enya.
In addition to presenting recitals and collaborative concerts in the US, Europe and Asia, Ms. Bestmann is a devoted teacher. She was a faculty member at Mannes School of Music (Extension), Hoff-Barthelson Music School, and Riverdale Country School. Ms. Bestmann was also the conductor of the Philharmonia orchestra at Third Street Music School Settlement and assistant conductor/faculty at Children's Orchestra Society. Her commitment to education inspired the creation of Petite Concerts Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers live-music experiences to young children and cultivates classical music audiences of the future.
While still a student, Ms. Bestmann was the youngest participant with the New York Philharmonic’s Conductor Table hosted by Kurt Masur. Her most recent appearances include guest conducting the Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra and leading her fellow faculty members in performances of Peter and the Wolf and Carnival of the Animals at the Hoff-Barthelson Children’s Concert Series.
As winner of the 1998 Mannes Concerto Competition, Ms. Bestmann made her solo debut performing with the Mannes Orchestra under the baton of John Mauceri. As a violist, she was invited to participate in the International Musician’s Seminar in Prussia Cove, England and the Mozarteum International Sommerakademie in Salzburg, Austria. She served as principal violist of the New England Symphonic Ensemble which was frequently directed by acclaimed composer and conductor John Rutter. As a chamber music enthusiast, Ms. Bestmann is a member of the Solace Piano Quartet and performed with members of the New Jersey Symphony in numerous concerts.
Ms. Bestmann began studying the violin at age three in Taiwan. As a prizewinner in the 1984 Taiwanese National Violin Competition, she was awarded the opportunity to study violin at Manhattan School of Music while attending high school in Great Neck, Long Island. Ms. Bestmann holds a Bachelor of Music in Orchestral Conducting, a Master of Music and a Professional Studies Diploma in Viola Performance, all from Mannes School of Music. Her primary teachers include violists Karen Ritscher and Thomas Reibl, violinist Albert Markov, chamber music coaches Felix Galamir, Daniel Phillips and Todd Phillips and conductor Michael Charry.
Ms. Bestmann recently relocated to St. Paul, MN from New York with her husband and two daughters. She is currently a faculty member at MacPhail Center for Music and freelances with ensembles in the Twin Cities area including the Minnesota Orchestra.
Violist and conductor Chi-Chi Lin Bestmann enjoys a diverse career, from performing Mozart in Carnegie Hall to jamming with rapper Jay Z at Radio City Music Hall to conducting The Annual Westchester All-County Orchestra Festival. Her ability to straddle both roles of musician and conductor across different genres, has led her to venues including Saturday Night Live, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and Merkin Hall, performing with such artists including Kurt Masur, Beyoncé, and Enya.
In addition to presenting recitals and collaborative concerts in the US, Europe and Asia, Ms. Bestmann is a devoted teacher. She was a faculty member at Mannes School of Music (Extension), Hoff-Barthelson Music School, and Riverdale Country School. Ms. Bestmann was also the conductor of the Philharmonia orchestra at Third Street Music School Settlement and assistant conductor/faculty at Children's Orchestra Society. Her commitment to education inspired the creation of Petite Concerts Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers live-music experiences to young children and cultivates classical music audiences of the future.
While still a student, Ms. Bestmann was the youngest participant with the New York Philharmonic’s Conductor Table hosted by Kurt Masur. Her most recent appearances include guest conducting the Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra and leading her fellow faculty members in performances of Peter and the Wolf and Carnival of the Animals at the Hoff-Barthelson Children’s Concert Series.
As winner of the 1998 Mannes Concerto Competition, Ms. Bestmann made her solo debut performing with the Mannes Orchestra under the baton of John Mauceri. As a violist, she was invited to participate in the International Musician’s Seminar in Prussia Cove, England and the Mozarteum International Sommerakademie in Salzburg, Austria. She served as principal violist of the New England Symphonic Ensemble which was frequently directed by acclaimed composer and conductor John Rutter. As a chamber music enthusiast, Ms. Bestmann is a member of the Solace Piano Quartet and performed with members of the New Jersey Symphony in numerous concerts.
Ms. Bestmann began studying the violin at age three in Taiwan. As a prizewinner in the 1984 Taiwanese National Violin Competition, she was awarded the opportunity to study violin at Manhattan School of Music while attending high school in Great Neck, Long Island. Ms. Bestmann holds a Bachelor of Music in Orchestral Conducting, a Master of Music and a Professional Studies Diploma in Viola Performance, all from Mannes School of Music. Her primary teachers include violists Karen Ritscher and Thomas Reibl, violinist Albert Markov, chamber music coaches Felix Galamir, Daniel Phillips and Todd Phillips and conductor Michael Charry.
Ms. Bestmann recently relocated to St. Paul, MN from New York with her husband and two daughters. She is currently a faculty member at MacPhail Center for Music and freelances with ensembles in the Twin Cities area including the Minnesota Orchestra.
Lindsay Schlemmer, Cello
Cellists Lindsay Schlemmer is an active performer and teacher. Lindsay completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Cello Performance in 2018. She was a Berneking Fellow at the University of Minnesota where she studies under the guidance of Dr. Tanya Remenikova. Over the summer of 2016, she was awarded a Summer Internship Graduate School Fellowship, to serve as an Intern for the Artaria String Quartet. Lindsay was also a Schubert Club Scholarship Recipient for the Graduate String Division 2016. In addition to giving solo recitals, she was featured performing the Prelude to Reger’s Solo Suite No. 3, on a live broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio in April 2016 as a part of Before Bach’s Birthday Bash concert series.
Lindsay is an avid chamber musician and orchestral player. As a founding member of the Meadowlark String Quartet, Lindsay performs in a variety of concert settings from classrooms to public libraries, and the more traditional concert hall. The Meadowlark Quartet is a Thursday Musical feature artist for the 2016-2017 season. Lindsay was Principal Cellists of the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra 2014-18. Lindsay also is a substitute for the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, La Crosse Symphony and Sioux City Symphony, and was Principal cellist of the University Symphony Orchestra at the University of Minnesota.
In addition, Lindsay is a Teaching Specialist for cello and bass at the University of Minnesota Morris, the Executive Director, and Cello Faculty for the Saint Mary's University String Festival. She also teaches a full private studio from her home in South Minneapolis. Lindsay loves teaching students with a wide range of ages and backgrounds because she is amazed by the diversity of how each person learns, is motivated, and inspired by music.
Lindsay has had the privilege to study her passion with many inspirational teachers. She earned her Master's in cello performance at the University of Minnesota in 2011 under the guidance of Dr. Tanya Remenikova. At Illinois Wesleyan University, she earned her Bachelor of Music while studying with Dr. Nina Gordon. During her time at Wesleyan, Lindsay spent a semester studying music in Vienna Austria where she took lessons from cellist Joseph Luitz. Lindsay also had the privilege to perform in a chamber music festival and tour in Bulgaria. Before college, Lindsay studied with Dr. Ben Smith and Elise Kuutti in Duluth where she was first introduced to the vibrant world of music at an early age by her parents.
All of these experiences have shaped her as both a performer and teacher. Lindsay is grateful to be able to share her passion for music with not only audiences, but especially with her students!
Cellists Lindsay Schlemmer is an active performer and teacher. Lindsay completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Cello Performance in 2018. She was a Berneking Fellow at the University of Minnesota where she studies under the guidance of Dr. Tanya Remenikova. Over the summer of 2016, she was awarded a Summer Internship Graduate School Fellowship, to serve as an Intern for the Artaria String Quartet. Lindsay was also a Schubert Club Scholarship Recipient for the Graduate String Division 2016. In addition to giving solo recitals, she was featured performing the Prelude to Reger’s Solo Suite No. 3, on a live broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio in April 2016 as a part of Before Bach’s Birthday Bash concert series.
Lindsay is an avid chamber musician and orchestral player. As a founding member of the Meadowlark String Quartet, Lindsay performs in a variety of concert settings from classrooms to public libraries, and the more traditional concert hall. The Meadowlark Quartet is a Thursday Musical feature artist for the 2016-2017 season. Lindsay was Principal Cellists of the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra 2014-18. Lindsay also is a substitute for the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, La Crosse Symphony and Sioux City Symphony, and was Principal cellist of the University Symphony Orchestra at the University of Minnesota.
In addition, Lindsay is a Teaching Specialist for cello and bass at the University of Minnesota Morris, the Executive Director, and Cello Faculty for the Saint Mary's University String Festival. She also teaches a full private studio from her home in South Minneapolis. Lindsay loves teaching students with a wide range of ages and backgrounds because she is amazed by the diversity of how each person learns, is motivated, and inspired by music.
Lindsay has had the privilege to study her passion with many inspirational teachers. She earned her Master's in cello performance at the University of Minnesota in 2011 under the guidance of Dr. Tanya Remenikova. At Illinois Wesleyan University, she earned her Bachelor of Music while studying with Dr. Nina Gordon. During her time at Wesleyan, Lindsay spent a semester studying music in Vienna Austria where she took lessons from cellist Joseph Luitz. Lindsay also had the privilege to perform in a chamber music festival and tour in Bulgaria. Before college, Lindsay studied with Dr. Ben Smith and Elise Kuutti in Duluth where she was first introduced to the vibrant world of music at an early age by her parents.
All of these experiences have shaped her as both a performer and teacher. Lindsay is grateful to be able to share her passion for music with not only audiences, but especially with her students!
