Elise | Piano
Elise is a pianist and music educator based in Central Auckland. She holds a BMus (Hons, First Class) and an MMus in Classical Performance Research from the University of Auckland, where she studied with renowned pedagogues Rae de Lisle and Sarah Watkins. During her studies, she received numerous prizes including the Janetta McStay Prize for Pianists, Anna Nathan Prize in Early Keyboard Music, and the Llewelyn Jones Prize for Best Interpretation of a Contemporary Composition.
As a versatile collaborative pianist, Elise has worked with singers, instrumentalists, and chamber ensembles, bringing elegance and sensitivity to every performance. In 2019, she made her New York debut performing in collaboration at Carnegie Hall. Elise has also participated in significant international festivals such as the Wallace International Piano Festival in Auckland, the International Maestro Piano Festival in Taipei, and The Australian Dalcroze workshops in Melbourne.
Elise connects warmly with students and clients, driven by a passion for making classical music accessible to audiences of all ages. Originally from Taiwan, she is fluent in both Mandarin and English.
Jiwon | Violin
Jiwon is a creative, warm, and passionate violinist and teacher. She began playing the violin at the age of six, later serving as concertmaster at Ei-Hyun Middle School and continuing her studies at Gyeonggi Arts High School. During this time, she won first prizes at the Ye-eum, KCO, and Neo Musica Competitions, and was invited as a soloist at the Young Artist Concert in both 2016 and 2017.
She entered Sungshin Women’s University at the top of her class, studying under Professor Ho-young Pi, and in 2018 studied abroad at the Umberto Giordano Conservatorio in Italy, performing with the Umberto Giordano Orchestra on tour. She has also appeared as a guest member with the KBS Symphony Orchestra and Mahlerian Orchestra.
Alongside her performing career, Jiwon holds certifications as a music psychologist (2020) and as a culture and arts educator (2021), reflecting her dedication to both artistry and education. Since moving to New Zealand in 2022, Jiwon has been actively performing with Bach Musica NZ and Auckland Choral, while also teaching and inspiring many students through her warm and engaging approach to music.
Tiffany | Cello
Tiffany is the founder of the Tui Trio and a cellist with extensive experience in solo, chamber, and orchestral performance. Tiffany has won first prizes at SAPACS, NAPACS, and was a national semifinalist in both the New Zealand Chamber Music Contest and the PACANZ Young Performers Competition, as well as a finalist in the KBB Young Performers Competition.
She holds Trinity LTCL performance diplomas in both cello and piano, studying under Coral Bognuda and Yong Jun Lee. Tiffany has performed with the New Zealand Youth Orchestra and Bach Musica, and in addition to her classical work, she has been active as a church accompanist and choir pianist. She also shares her own music online under the name ebcello.
Tiffany founded the Tui Trio with the aim of making classical music more approachable for audiences who may not usually attend classical concerts. She is particularly interested in introducing New Zealand listeners to the works of modern European and Asian composers.
Fluent in English and Korean, Tiffany balances her musical career with her role as a full-time analyst at a bank.
