Ms. Tong was a top prizewinner at the Eckhardt-Gramatte, Toronto Symphony, Canadian Music, and Yellow Springs International Chamber Music Competitions, as well as the recipient of the David Ouchterlony Award for Outstanding Artist. Her ongoing fascination with mind-body connection and its relevance to music performance has also led her to explore the science of yoga in-depth and complete her teacher certification at the Kripalu Center in Lenox, Massachusetts. In addition to performing and teaching, she often leads workshops and masterclasses with high school, university and adult amateur musicians, that explore the art of mindful movement and body awareness in instrumental playing.

Mr. Sheppard is a winner of the prestigious American Pianists Association Classical Fellow Award. He gives masterclasses, teaches regularly and plays with some of the top singers and instrumentalists around the US, working at both the Peabody Institute of Music and the Baltimore School for the Arts, sharing his love and understanding of music and the artistic process with future generations. Sheppard is also a conductor and burgeoning actor.