Lifen Anthony Quintet
Riana Anthony (1st cello, 15) was born in Japan and began cello at the age of nine, studying from her mother Lifen Anthony. Also under the tutelage of Sumiko Kurata of Japan, in May 2003, she won a Silver Medal at the Izuminomori Cello and Contrabass Festival in Osaka and a Bronze Medal in 2004. Moving to Honolulu, Riana has continued cello study with Lifen Anthony and visiting teachers and continued master classes with Sumiko Kurata. She played the Haydn Concerto in C with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra as a winner of the Youth Concerto Competition in 2005. Winning a second time, she played Dvorak Concerto in B minor with the Symphony in 2008. She now plays in Hawaii Youth Symphony I and Iolani School Orchestra V and continues her deep involvement in cello and string ensemble performance, including guest performing with professional ensembles. She has studied solfege and piano as well. Her dream is to be a successful musician.
Taylor Yasui (2nd cello, 15) began his cello studies at age eleven and has been studding under Lifen Anthony for four years. He has been a member of Hawaii Youth Symphony for three years, beginning with Symphony II and has progressed to Symphony I from last year. He participates in his school orchestra at Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama Campus. When Taylor was twelve years old, he placed 1st in the Maui Classical Strings Competition. His favorite hobbies include traveling and swimming.
Stephanie Lum (3rd cello, 14) has studied the cello for four years under Lifen Anthony. A ninth-grader at Iolani School, Stephanie was the lead cellist and Section Leader for the Symphonic Orchestra IV the past school year. She has been a member of the school’s scholarship cello program for two years. Stephanie is also an accomplished pianist, having studied under Ernest Chang for nine years. She has played at the Neal Blasedale Concert Hall with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra in the 2006 Honolulu Symphony Associates Concerto Competition and placed first in the Hawaii Music Teachers Association Junior Artist Piano Competition. Stephanie has been a featured guest performer at Central Union Church’s Gift of Music Program, enjoys competitive swimming with the Iolani School swim team, and is a community service volunteer.
Elvina Zhang (4th cello, 13) began her cello studies at age of nine with Lifen Anthony. She is currently a cellist in the Iolani School Orchestra IV and a member of the school’s scholarship chamber music program - Iolani Cello Quartet. Along with playing the cello, Elvina’s love for the piano began in her lessons with Ernest Chang at age of four. Since then, as a young pianist, she has performed extensively throughout Oahu at such venues as NBC Concert Hall, Washington Place, Hawaii Public Radio, Orvis Auditorium, Mozart House, Central Union Church, Arcadia, and Pohai Nani. Her accomplishments include First Place at the HMTA Junior Artist Piano Competition in 2001 & 2003; a Bronze Medal recipient of 2004 Shanghai Haiman Piano Competition; soloist with Honolulu Symphony as the winner of the Honolulu Symphony Concerto Competition in 2006, and many other awards. Elvina is a poetry lover and has written numerous poems in her spare time.
Jeffrey Kawahara (guest cellist, 15) was born in Columbus, Ohio. He will be a sophomore at Iolani School. He first played the cello in fifth grade and was initially taught by Joan Doike at Iolani. After six months he began to study with Lifen Anthony who has taught him since that time. He currently plays in Iolani School’s top ensemble, Orchestra V as well as string quartet and cello quartet. He has also attended the Interlochen Arts Camp. In his spare time Jeffrey is a forward for the Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club. He also plays soccer and runs track for Iolani School during the school year.
