Beethoven and Shakespeare

String Quartet Concert - Part of the Library Concert Series

Inspired by the tomb scene from Romeo and Juliet, Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 18 No. 1 conjures startling pathos of sorrow, suspense, and revelation.

Join us as these exceptional local musicians bring this classic musical piece to life:

Ai Melby (Viola)
Lisa Liu (Violin)
Brandon Buckmaster (Violin)
Mert Sermet (Cello)

As the daughter of two musicians in the New Japan Philharmonic, Ai Melby grew up in Tokyo where she studied viola at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Her passion for music performance brought her to the Chicago area to study with Richard Young of the Vermeer Quartet and Li-Kuo Chang, former violist for CSO. While in Chicago, Ai was principal violist for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and was honored to perform with Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  She was a founding member of Kontras Quartet and spent 3 years in North Carolina as the principal violist for the Western Piedmont Symphony.  Her musical interests and talents go well beyond classical performance, as Ai has performed in a diverse array of genres and alongside legendary musicians such as the Kruger Brothers, Branford Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, Marco Antonio Solis, Adele, and Lady Gaga.  In 2022, Ai moved to Las Vegas with her husband and two beautiful daughters, where she currently teaches music at Advanced Technologies Academy and performs with Las Vegas Philharmonic, Las Vegas Sinfonietta, and Nevada Chamber Orchestra. 

Lisa Liu is a multi-faceted creator in a constant state of evolution. Upon graduating from Juilliard in violin performance, a diploma and two degrees later, she dove into the realm of popular music. Her first opportunity to improvise was a project for the pope, which led her to play in hip-hop and rock bands, Middle-Eastern influenced ensembles, all while becoming the go-to violinist for up-and-coming new music composers. She recorded her first session, an original piece written for her by composer Nico Muhly, in Bjork?s house. Since then, Lisa has performed on over 300 TV and film scores and has contracted orchestras for sold-out shows at the Hollywood Bowl, Disney Hall and Coachella. She is a producer, conductor, composer and entrepreneur driven by a purpose to serve her musical community by creating opportunities for diverse, emerging talent. For more information, please visit www.lisaliumusic.com 

Brandon Buckmaster is a violinist based in Las Vegas, Nevada.  His recent performance engagements include as a section member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Eugene Symphony, and guest concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony. As a concertmaster, Mr. Buckmaster has performed with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, the Portland Chamber Orchestra, and the national tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein?s Cinderella. Mr. Buckmaster received his degrees in Violin Performance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (BM), and the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University (MM) He is also an alumnus of the Manhattan School of Music and the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music. 

Mert Sermet is a member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and co-founder of the electric cello duo BRIDGE. He has performed with many of the biggest luminaries of the classical, pop, Latin, and country music worlds. He played at the prestigious Carnegie Hall under the baton of the internationally renowned conductor Daniel Barenboim and performed at the Grand Ole Opry with John Rich and Big Kenny of Big & Rich that same year. His Las Vegas performances include The Lion King, Phantom, Cheap Trick, ShowStoppers, and The Frankie Moreno Show. In addition, he has performed with Natalie Cole, Nelly Furtado, Carlos Santana, Smokey Robinson, India Arie, and has recently appeared with Stevie Wonder and tenor Andrea Bocelli.

Free and open to the public. seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and may be limited. please call 702-507-6021 for more information.

Part of the Library Concert Series. Produced in partnership with The Recording Industry's Music Performance Trust Fund and AFM Local 369, Musicians Union of Las Vegas.

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