Catalin Rotaru, Professor of Music at Arizona State University since 2005, is a graduate of the National University of Music from Bucharest, Romania, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has served as the principal and associate principal bass in several orchestras, including the Romanian National Radio Orchestra, the Sibiu Philharmonic Orchestra, the Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra of Bucharest, the Orchestra Sinfonica Europea, and others. In 1997 he received Second Prize in the International Society of Bassists Solo Division Competition, as well as the “Jury’s Special Award” for the best performance of the required piece. Later that year, he won the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts “Debut Recital Award” and, in 2013 was honored with “Recognition for Solo Performance” by the International Society of Bassists. He released his debut solo CD album, Bass*ic Cello Notes, through Summit Records in 2007, and his second CD, Juliana D’Agostini + Catalin Rotaru, in 2010, which was recorded in São Paulo, Brazil. Mr. Rotaru performs throughout the world as a recitalist and as guest soloist with prestigious symphony orchestras, and is in demand as a clinician at important schools and music festivals. He endorses Pirastro Strings and performs on a modern double bass made in Italy by Luciano Golia, with a bow made by Marco Pasquino.

Between 2007 and 2017 Mr. Rotaru has released 6 CDs:

Bass*ic Cello Notes - 2007
Juliana D’Agostini + Catalin Rotaru - 2010
Sonic Bridges - 2013
Catalin Rotaru plays double bass works by Frank Proto - 2014
Sonic Bridges Volume 2 - 2017
The Lord of the Basses, Bottesini’s Testore - 2017

Wan Ting YU was born in Taichung, Taiwan. Showing a great level of interest and advanced musical skills since early childhood, she began to play piano at the age of 3 and double bass when she was 10. In 2015, she was offered a full time position as bass player in Taipei Symphony Orchestra. She has received a Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the National Taiwan Normal University and a Master’s Degree in Double Bass Performance from Taipei Normal University of Arts. Prior to this, she won several prizes as both a pianist and bass player: First Prize of National Taichung Second Senior High School Piano concerto competition; in the same month, she won the second prize playing the bass in the strings concerto competition. Consequently, she was the featured piano soloist with the school orchestra. As a bass player, Wan Ting won numerous competitions and accolades for her technically advanced and musically mature playing:

•The First Prize Winner of National Bass Contest for
College students in Taiwan in 2012
•The First Prize Winner of Taipei City Bass Contest for
College student in Taiwan in 2011
•The First Prize Winner of Taichung City Bass Contest for teenagers in 2009

Prior to her current professional position with the Taipei Symphony, she has also collaborated with the National Symphony Orchestra, touring and performing in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Korea, and China. As a pianist, she has built a strong reputation and is a very sought-after accompanist in Taipei.