Trio Azura is quickly emerging as one of today’s most promising young ensembles, characterized by “intelligence and imagination” and “profound emotion” (Gramaphone). They are currently the Ensemble-in-Residence at the Colburn School—where they formed in 2022—and study with Jonathan Brown, Martin Beaver, Clive Greensmith, and Fabio Bidini. Most recently, Trio Azura was named a winner of the 2025 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions and appointed YCA Jacobs Fellows, becoming the organization’s first Ensemble-in-Residence.
Trio Azura consists of Canadian violinist Duncan McDougall, South Korean cellist Yejin Hong, and Chinese pianist Yanfeng (Tony) Bai. Although they come from different backgrounds, their unique perspectives are a constant source of inspiration. In 2024, the Trio won the Grand Prize, Gold Medal, Lift Every Voice prize, and Horszowksi Trio Prize at the 51st Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. They are also prize winners at the Schoenfeld International String Competition in Harbin, China.
During the 2024-25 season, Trio Azura completed their Fischoff Double Gold Tour of the US Midwest, where they mentored over 500 students in Indiana and Michigan; they undertook a residency at the American University of Sharjah in the UAE, which was a unique opportunity for cultural exchange with Arabic poets; and they performed at the Chamber Music America National Conference, La Jolla Music Society, Music Guild, Friends of Chamber Music of Troy, Boston Court in Pasadena, Mimir Chamber Music Festival, and the Emilia Romagna Festival in Italy.
Trio Azura’s 2025-2026 season includes appearances at the Brisbane Festival in Australia, Nevada Chamber Music Festival, South Bay Chamber Music Society, Pelican Chamber Concerts, and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium.
