Vinola Trio
Who We Are
Vinola Trio was founded in 2021 by American violinist Laurel Gagnon, Taiwanese clarinetist Li-Jie Yu, and Chinese pianist Ruoyang Xiang. Initially inspired and supported by the Verdehr
Trio Commission Project at the IU Jacobs School of Music, the ensemble focuses primarily on repertoire written during the 20th century and beyond, exploring diverse musical styles.
Vinola Trio made their debut in March 2022 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana after being awarded the 2021 Verdehr Trio Award at the IU Jacobs School of Music. After being selected as a semi-finalist at the 2023 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the ensemble won third prize at the 2024 MTNA National Chamber Music Competition and has been selected as a finalist in The American Prize Chamber Music Competition. The group recently returned to Indiana University for a guest recital; after winning a university mini-grant, will be visiting Truman State University for a guest recital and to teach several masterclasses in 2024.
After preparing an all-female composer program at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute residency program in New Hampshire, the trio is continuing to expand and diversify he repertoire through a budding collaboration with Chinese composer Daniel Cui; recently they premiered his new work, Muddleheaded.
Passionate about impacting local communities, the ensemble collaborates regularly with community organizations to present events at local libraries, retirement homes, and churches, maintaining close relationships with community spaces. Most recently, the ensemble worked with Bloomington Indiana’s “Bridges MAYO” organization to present an afternoon recital and talk before teaching a public masterclass for MAYO student ensembles.
Meet The Trio
Violinist Laurel Gagnon was awarded top prizes at both the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition and Singapore International Violin Competition, and has appeared in recital and as chamber musician across the United States, Europe, and Asia. A passionate chamber musician, she has enjoyed recent appearances at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute, Halcyon Music Festival, and Mimir Chamber Festival. She is currently continuing her studies at the Yale School of Music under the guidance of Augustin Hadelich. Laurel performs on an 1809 Lupot courtesy of Canimex Inc, Drummondville (Quebec), Canada.
A native of Taiwan, clarinetist Li-Jie Yu currently holds the position of assistant instructor of clarinet at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (JSoM). Yu won third prize at the 2018 Woodwind Solo Competition sponsored by the National Society of Arts and Letters. In 2021, she received the Government Scholarship to Study Abroad from the Ministry of Education in Taiwan to support her studies in the U.S.. Yu is a clarinet educator around Bloomington and Columbus area of Indiana, where she teaches private lessons. Her specialty in reed adjustment technique and injury prevention help her students to effectively improve the efficiency in clarinet playing. Yu is currently pursuing her doctoral degree at JSoM under the tutelage of Eli Eban.
A native of Anqing City in Anhui, China, Ruoyang Xiang is a prizewinner in numerous piano competitions including the 2021 Wideman International Piano Competition, 2019 Indiana University Concerto Competition, NSAL 2022 Instrumental Music Competition, the 2014 Alfred Lee Scholarship Competition, the Boston Conservatory Honors Solo Competition, and the Singapore Asian Youth Competition. She received her Bachelor of Music from the Boston Conservatory, where she studied with Jonathan Bass. She received her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts at IU Jacobs School of Music under the tutelage of Menahem Pressler.