​Ashni Budge is a violinist pursuing her Master of Music at Rice University’s Shepherd School under the tutelage of Paul Kantor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastman School of Music and a psychology degree from the University of Rochester. Ashni has performed at prestigious venues such as Walt Disney Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall, the New World Center, the Congress Center in Graz, Austria, and has shared the stage with soloists such as Gil Shaham, Gabriela Montero, and Yuja Wang. A dedicated educator, she received the Certificate of Achievement in Leadership from Rochester’s Mayor and Rochester’s Black Heritage Committee for her exceptional leadership and commitment to her students’ success.

Miranda Hollingsworth is a passionate violinist and chamber musician that has performed recitals in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. She gave the premier of Kanitz’s String Quartet in D for the ARC Ensemble in Toronto, which was described as “particularly compelling and joyous, the best of the concert” (Ludwig Van Toronto). In 2024, Ms. Hollingsworth recorded for the Kronos Quartet as part of their Fifty for the Future project. She premiered Kaufmann’s 7th String Quartet in Tianjin, China, at the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestral Leadership Symposium in May 2025. In October 2025, she attended the Danish String Quartet Academy on a full scholarship. Ms. Hollingsworth organized the first ever Toronto Music for Food concert. Miranda recently earned her Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston.

Korean violinist Yubin Kim holds a Bachelor of Music from Yonsei University and a Master of Music from the Shepherd School of Music. She is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under the tutelage of Paul Kantor. Throughout her studies, Yubin has attended the Verbier Music Festival as a fellow in 2023 and 2024. She has worked with renowned artists such as Simon Rattle, Zubin Mehta, Klaus Makela, Christoph Eschenbach, and Daniele Gatti. As a soloist, she has performed in masterclasses for artists including David Chan, Liviu Prunaru, and Mi Kyung Lee.Yubin currently plays a 1687 Stardivarious violin on a generous loan.

Dr. James Palmer is a dynamic pianist based in Houston, Texas.  His wide-ranging musical appetite has led to a diverse performing career, comprising traditional recital performances, chamber performances, and innovative projects featuring new music. This season he gives solo recitals in Houston and Philadelphia and appears in a faculty recital at Rice University.

 Dr. Palmer is a Lecturer at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. He is the lead instructor for AFA Texas’s Summer Piano Intensive and sits on the Executive Board of the Scriabin Society of America.

 Dr. Palmer holds his DMA from Rice University and MM and BM degrees from Indiana University. His teachers have included Dr. Robert Roux, Emile Naoumoff, and Menahem Pressler.

Born and raised in Houston, Tasiah Rodgers is a jazz vocalist and writer with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a minor in Jazz Studies from Texas Southern University. She served as the premier jazz vocalist for Texas Southern University at the 2022 Monterey Jazz Festival. Ms. Rodgers has seven years of experience in child music education and curriculum development, including developing her own. Tasiah’s community involvement includes curating fine arts events and performing at historic Houston venues such as Eldorado Ballroom, Miller Outdoor Theatre, The Museum of Fine Arts, Cultural Arts Museum Houston, Project Row Houses, and more. Currently, Tasiah is expanding her reach as a songwriter through her membership in WITS (Writers in The Schools) and Sofar Sounds. Tasiah’s future endeavors include curating more of her own performances/shows, growing in music education, and community outreach through various music practices.