DR. SHIH-WEN WINNIE FAN is Principal Clarinet of the Central Texas Philharmonic, appointed in 2013 by Maestro Stefan Sanders. She has also served as the Director of Admissions and Student Affairs for the Taipei Music Academy and Festival since 2019, where she contributes to the development of emerging talent in the classical music world.

Described by the International Clarinet Association Journal as having "...played with bold dynamic range...with expressive legato...", Dr. Fan's recognitions include the second prize in the International Clarinet Association Orchestral Audition Competition, winner of Brevard Music Centre Concerto Competition and Montecito International Summer Music Festival Solo Competition. For over a decade, Dr. Fan has been a dedicated and passionate clarinet instructor in the Greater Houston area. Her students consistently achieve high honors, including frequent selection for TMEA All-State, membership in the Houston Youth Symphony, solo competition wins, and various other recognitions. In 2025, her excellence in teaching was recognized for the TMTA Award of Distinguished Pre-College Teaching by the Texas Music Teachers Association. In addition to her teaching, Dr. Fan founded the Winnie Fan Volunteer Performance Program, a community initiative that brings joy and comfort to the Greater Houston area through music, enriching the lives of those in need.

Dr. Fan holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Music from Taipei National University of the Arts. Her mentors include John Bruce Yeh, Alexander Potiomkin, Richie Hawley, Steven Cohen, Nathan Williams, Wei-Leng William Chen, Pei-Yun Lin, and Eugene Jin.

Beyond her musical career, Dr. Fan enjoys traveling and is a proud cat lover. Her feline friends keep her grounded and remind her to always nurture a sense of wonder and curiosity. She believes that exploring the world brings invaluable lessons, deepening her understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures.

Dr. Chi-Hui Kao is an accomplished cellist, renowned for her performances as a soloist, chamber musician, and professional orchestras. Her extensive performance career has taken her across the United States, Europe, and Asia, where she has participated in numerous prestigious chamber music programs. Currently, Dr. Kao serves as an assistant principal cellist with the Central Texas Philharmonic. She has previously held the position of principal cellist with the Abilene Opera, Texas Music Festival, and the Asian Youth Orchestra. As a soloist, she has performed in iconic venues, including Carnegie Hall, following her success in the “American Protégé” competition.

A native of Taiwan, Dr. Kao earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance from Michigan State University. Her academic studies were guided by renowned cellists such as Suren Bagratuni, Rhonda Rider, Chien-An Chen, and Shiao-Mei Sun. Additionally, Dr. Kao has participated in masterclasses with distinguished musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma, Norman Fisher, Brinton Averil Smith, Alexandre Lecarme, and Stefan Kartman, further refining her artistry.

Dr. Jugwon “Jay” Noh is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Austin Community College. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Chung-Ang University in South Korea, and completed his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Piano Performance at the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Noh has presented at numerous regional, national, and international conferences, including the TMTA Convention, MTNA Collegiate Symposium, and College Music Society Conference. He has also been invited to judge various competitions and festivals, and has given masterclasses at music workshops and festivals. He serves as a faculty member at the Austin Chamber Music Center, and was recently honored with the 2024 Steinway Top Teacher Award.

Dr. WanHsuan “Joyce” Wu is an active concert pianist and dedicated music educator. She enjoys working in diverse environments with students of all levels and backgrounds. Dr. Wu currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Austin Community College, where she teaches Music Appreciation, American Music, and Applied Piano courses. Her primary goal as an educator is to help students enrich their lives through the appreciation of music and to develop mastery of the piano through disciplined study. She is also a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) by the Music Teachers National Association.

As a solo and collaborative artist, Dr. Wu has appeared on concert stages across Asia, Europe, and North America. During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions inspired her to explore music that weaves together diverse cultural influences. She is the Co-Founder and President of The Woven Sounds, a 501(c)(3) performing organization dedicated to promoting works by Asian composers, composers of Asian descent, and music inspired by Asian traditions.

Dr. Wu earned both her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from The University of Texas at Austin, where she studied under the guidance of internationally renowned pianist Professor Nancy Burton Garrett. Her scholarly interests extend into musicology, culminating in her doctoral treatise, Beethoven Through Liszt: Myth, Performance, Edition, supervised by the late Dr. K. M. Knittel.

When not teaching or performing, Joyce enjoys reading, gardening, exploring new AI technologies, and relaxing with her cat empress, Wednesday.