Vinola Trio
Who We Are
Founded in 2021, Vinola Trio brings together American violinist Laurel Gagnon, Taiwanese clarinetist Li-Jie Yu, and Chinese pianist Ruoyang Xiang. Inspired and initially supported by the Verdehr Trio Commission Project at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Vinola Trio explores a wide range of musical styles. With an emphasis on 20th- and 21st-century works, the group focuses on deepening the study of and expanding the repertoire for the violin, clarinet, and piano trio.
Vinola Trio was awarded Grand Prize at the 2025 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and was subsequently invited to perform on the Odyssey Chamber Music Series in spring 2026; The ensemble has also won prizes from both the MTNA National Chamber Music Competition and The American Prize.
Vinola Trio recently completed a guest artist residency at the University of California San Diego, working with composers and premiering five new compositions. The ensemble has also appeared as guest artists at Boston Conservatory and Truman State University, and returned for multiple alumni performances at Indiana University. Participating in several artist residencies at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute, Vinola has worked on a range of projects, including collaborations with composer Daniel Cui and Atlanta Symphony cellist Isabel Kwon, the exploration of historical works by women composers, and the study of new compositions by Asian-born composers.
Actively engaged in chamber music education, Vinola Trio has led masterclasses at Boston Conservatory and Truman State University, and
has worked with young ensembles through Bloomington, Indiana's Bridges Musical Arts Youth Organization. Committed to community engagement, the ensemble regularly partners with local organizations to present performances and events in libraries, retirement homes, and churches, fostering meaningful connections with a variety of community spaces.
Yu is currently a doctoral candidate at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under the tutelage of Eli Eban, supported by the prestigious Government Scholarship to Study Abroad from the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. Xiang currently holds the position of Coordinator of Collaborative Piano at Truman State University, having completed her Doctor of Music degree in 2023 at the Jacobs School under the tutelage of Menahem Pressler. A recent graduate of the Yale School of Music, Gagnon is currently based in New York City and is a fellow of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect program for the 2025–2027 seasons; her teachers and mentors include Augustin Hadelich, Mauricio Fuks, and Ben Sayevich
Laurel performs on an 1809 Lupot courtesy of Canimex Inc, Drummondville (Quebec), Canada.
Meet The Trio
Violinist Laurel Gagnon is currently based in New York City and is a fellow of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect program for the 2025–2027 seasons; she maintains an active performance schedule as chamber musician and soloist. Equally at home performing traditional repertoire and premiering new works, she especially enjoys exploring works written by women of previous centuries. Gagnon recently won first prize at the 2025 Dallas International Violin Competition, and was awarded top prizes at the Elmar Oliveira and Singapore International Violin Competitions. A recent graduate of the Yale School of Music under the mentorship of Augustin Hadelich, she previously studied with Ben Sayevich and Mauricio Fuks.
A native of Taiwan, clarinetist Li-Jie Yu was awarded 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 Taiwan’s Ministry of Education to support her studies in the United States. From 2018 to 2023, Yu served as an assistant instructor of clarinet at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (JSoM). She is an active clarinet educator in the Bloomington and Columbus areas of Indiana, where she teaches private lessons. Her expertise in reed adjustment and injury prevention helps students improve their playing efficiency and technique. Yu is currently a doctoral candidate at the Jacobs School of Music, studying 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 2025 Plowman Chamber Music Competition, the MTNA 2024 National Chamber Music Competition, NSAL 2022 Instrumental Music Competition, 2021 Wideman International Piano Competition, and the Singapore Asian Youth Competition. She is an avid soloist and chamber musician. 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 Music at IU Jacobs School of Music under the tutelage of Menahem Pressler. Currently she serves as The Coordinator of Collaborative Piano at Truman State University.