Tianlong Mai, first violinist of Vivace Quartet, holds a Doctorate in Violin Performance from the Central Conservatory of Music. In 2021, he won 2nd Prize in the Chamber Music Division of the 3rd Ysaÿe International Music Competition (no 1st prize awarded).

Born in Beihai, Guangxi, Mai studied under Professor Xueyao Dong at Guangxi Arts University. In 2007, he entered the Central Conservatory of Music’s affiliated middle school, studying with Professors Weidong Tong and Lin Yue. In 2012, he won 3rd Prize at the Hong Kong International Violin Competition. In 2013, he was directly admitted to the undergraduate program at the Central Conservatory. In 2016, he won 1st Prize at the Bravo Music Festival Competition in the U.S. and served as principal second violinist of the China Youth Symphony Orchestra. In 2017, he entered the Conservatory’s graduate program with top ranking, continuing under Lin Yue and Gefang Yang, and received the National Scholarship and a prize in the “Futian Cup” National Youth String Competition. In 2023, he was selected for the National Arts Fund String Talent Training Program. In 2024, he was admitted to the Conservatory’s doctoral program under the guidance of Professor Gefang Yang.

In addition to solo performance, Mai is passionate about chamber music. He co-founded the “Element” Piano Trio in 2017, winning prizes at the Shanghai International Chamber Music Festival and 2nd Prize at the Beijing International Chamber Music Festival in 2019. With Vivace Quartet, he studied chamber music under Professor Gefang Yang and was a finalist at major competitions including the 71st ARD International Music Competition (Germany), the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition (London), and the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. He has participated in masterclasses and performances at the Tianjin Juilliard School and McGill University in Canada. He has performed widely across China in venues such as the Central Conservatory of Music, Zhongshan Music Hall, National Centre for the Performing Arts, Xi’an and Wuhan Conservatories, Shanghai Symphony Hall, Zhuhai Huafa Grand Theatre, and Qingdao Grand Theatre. His quartet was the only ensemble invited to the 13th CCM-Beijing International Chamber Music Festival, fully recorded and broadcast by CCTV Music Channel.

Violin soloist and second violinist of Vivace Quartet, Wei Yu is also a violin instructor at the School of Continuing Education, Central Conservatory of Music.

In 2006, she entered the 5th grade of the Central Conservatory’s primary school as top-ranked student. In early 2014, she was recommended for direct admission to the Conservatory’s undergraduate program, and in 2018, was again recommended for the graduate program. Her mentors include Professors Weidong Tong, Gefang Yang, and Associate Professor Lin Yue. During her studies, she served as concertmaster of the China Youth Symphony Orchestra and as associate concertmaster of the Conservatory’s graduate orchestra.

In April 2012, she won the Gold Medal in the chamber division of the 7th “VLADIVOSTOK” International Youth Music Competition in Russia. In late 2014, she was admitted to the Ozawa Music Academy and toured Japan under the baton of Seiji Ozawa. In 2016, she won 1st Prize at the 3rd Hong Kong International Chamber Music Competition. In 2019, she earned 3rd Prize at the 4th Central Conservatory Chamber Music Competition. That same year, she premiered the work Qin Yun by young composer Jiazi Shang, which won 3rd Prize at the Lin Yaoki Chinese-Style Solo Violin International Composition Competition. She was awarded 2nd Prize in the 3rd Ysaÿe International Music Competition (no 1st prize awarded).

Heshun Ji entered the Central Conservatory of Music Middle School in 2014 and later the CCOM undergraduate program in 2020, both with top-ranked viola scores. In 2024, he became the only viola student granted direct admission to the CCOM graduate program. He currently studies with Professor Wang Shaowu, renowned violist and Vice President of Tianjin Conservatory of Music.

He has served as Principal Violist of the CCOM Junior Symphony Orchestra and the CCOM Youth Symphony Orchestra, and was Associate Principal Viola in the recording of Mahler: Symphony No.1 under conductor Yu Lu. His ensemble work includes performances with the VIV Viola Ensemble, featured on the Naxos album Dancing with Resonance, and exchange concerts at Zhejiang Conservatory of Music. In 2025, he represented CCOM in internship performances with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Ji has performed widely across China, France, Switzerland, Italy, and the UK, giving multiple solo recitals at leading Chinese conservatories. His awards include prizes at the CCOM Alumni Arts Festival Scholarship Competition, the Chamber Music String Quartet Scholarship Competition, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei String Skills Competition, and 1st Prize at the MAP-IMC International Music Competition (Chamber Music).

He has participated in major international viola competitions such as the Prague Spring International Music Competition, the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, and the Tokyo International Viola Competition. He has been invited to festivals including Alp Tignes, the Montpellier Music Festival, Lugano Festival, and the Tianjin Juilliard International String Seminar, and has received guidance from Tabea Zimmermann, Matthias Buchholz, Garth Knox, and Pierre-Henri Xuereb.

Ziru Niu is the cellist of Vivace Quartet and serves as ensemble coach for the Peking University Symphony Orchestra. She studied under the renowned cellist and educator Professor Mingqing Yu. She won First Prize in the Youth Professional Group and the Best Performance of Chinese Work Award at the 8th Aegean Cup and 3rd International Cello Competition. Her quartet won the highest chamber music prize at the 3rd Ysaÿe International Music Competition in Belgium.

With outstanding musicality and comprehensive ability, she was directly admitted to both undergraduate and graduate programs at the Central Conservatory of Music. She served as principal cellist of the China Youth Orchestra, the Central Conservatory Graduate Orchestra, and the China National Youth Symphony Orchestra. She was selected for the Conservatory’s elite BOB (Brilliance of the Best) Talent Program and sent to the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków, Poland, where she gave solo recitals and was featured in the academy newspaper.

She has been awarded the National Scholarship and Outstanding Graduate title twice by the Ministry of Education. As the student union secretary of the Orchestral Department, she was named an “Outstanding Youth Leader” by the Beijing Communist Youth League.

She has performed extensively across China and remains active on today’s music stage. She has given quartet concerts at institutions including the Central Conservatory of Music, Tianjin Conservatory, Wuhan Conservatory, Xi’an Conservatory, Shanghai Poly Theatre, Shanghai Symphony Hall, Qingdao Grand Theatre, Tianjin Concert Hall, and Changsha Concert Hall. As a soloist, she has collaborated with major orchestras and frequently performed alongside renowned cellist Liwei Qin and violinist Siqing Lu.