Cristina Constantin graduated The West University of Timişoara, Faculty of Music  (2003), MA in violin performance (2005), with prof. Graţiela Negruţiu, PhD; in 2013 she completed her PhD in violin performance under the direction of prof. Gabriel Banciu, PhD, within ”Gheorghe Dima” Academy, Cluj- Napoca. Since 2013 she has been a member of the Atem Ensemble. 

Cristina Constantin attended violin masterclass within Internationale Sommerakademie Prag- Wien- Budapest, Semmering, Austria, (2007, 2008);  Icon Arts International Summer Courses, Breaza, Romania, (2005); International Festival of Early Music, Timişoara and Brebu-Nou, Romania (2009); Experimental Studio Academy des SWR Freiburg, Germany (2011). 

Artistic experience includes performances within international festivals, such as Rieti Elettroacustica, strumenti e musica del presente in  Rieti, Italy (2013), Musica Coronensis, Brașov, Romania (2011, 2013), Aurel Stroe Intermational Festival , Bușteni, Romania (2013), Matrix 11, Freiburg, Germany (2011), Timișoara Muzicală, Timișoara, Romania (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014); first performances of the following contemporary music works by: Luigi Pizzaleo: Quattro Meditazioni for violin and electronics; Gabriel Mălăncioiu: Profanul şi Sacrul for two violins and clarinet, Bhava for flute, violin, cello and piano, Sanran for clarinet and violin, Naticris for solo violin, Mitra for solo violin, Shudi for violin and electronics, Profanul şi Sacrul for two violins and viola, Hommage a George Enescu for solo violin.

Official website HERE.

Stefan Diaconu was born in 1990 in Radauti, Romania and started learning piano at the age of 6, then began studying flute at the age of 10 as a student of the “Octav Bancila” National College of Arts in Iasi. During the time spent in Iasi he participated in many national and international competitions where he was awarded a large number of prizes.

He took his bachelor’s degree in both Flute Performance and Orchestral Conducting at the National University of Music in Bucharest, where he studied with prof. Ion Bogdan Stefanescu and prof. Petru Andriesei.

Stefan participated in an Erasmus Exchange project at the “Frederic Chopin” University of Music in Warsaw, Poland in 2011. He studied flute with prof. Agata Igras-Sawicka and conducting with prof. Monika Wolinska, during which time he had the opportunity to discover a large variety of pieces by Polish composers, which he afterwards premiered in Romania. As part of his musical education he took part in many masterclasses with teachers such as  Gerglely Bodoky, Michael Cox, Jean Claude Gerard, Dieter Flury.

Since 2010 he has been collaborating with national and international orchestras and chamber ensembles leading to his debut as a soloist in 2012 with the “George Enescu” National Philharmonic Orchestra of Bucharest.

Guided by prof. Ion Bogdan Stefanescu he discovered his passion for contemporary music and premiered a large number of pieces by both Romanian and international composers. In 2013 he he was invited to perform in a contemporary music festival in South Korea where he premiered compositions by Korean composers.

He broadened his artistic vision by playing with various jazz ensembles, recording movie soundtracks and shows for national radio and television broadcasts. He founded two chamber ensembles, “Silver Sound” flute sextet and “AEROS” woodwind quintet with which he performs at many cultural events.

Alongside being a member of the “Profil” chamber orchestra, “Camerata Regala” orchestra, “Icon Arts” contemporary music ensemble and “Archeus” ensemble he is a permanent principal flute assistant  at the “George Enescu” National Philharmonic Orchestra.

Octavian Moldovean has graduated his Bachelor Degree at the National University of Music in Bucharest (2012), currently continuing his studies with the second year of  the Master’s Degree Program. Collaborator of the National Radio Orchestra and the “George Enescu” Philharmonic in Bucharest, he has attended numerous master classes of various flute players. Among these were Jacques-Pierre Artaud, Juliette Hurel, Benoit Fromanger, Philippa Davies, Michael Cox, Janosh Balint, Michael Martin Kofler. Former Erasmus student, he has completed musical training at the Conservatory of Strasbourg in 2011 with Mario Caroli.

During August 2010, Octavian was selected by the Kennedy Center Institute in Washington D.C.. He represented Europe and Romania at the Cultural Visitor’s Program, with five different musicians from all over the world. He took part in concerts, workshops and private lessons with musicians from different cities of America: Cynthia Meyers (Boston Symphony Orchestra), Stephani Stang (Kennedy Center Opera House), Carol Wincenc (NYC – Julliard School).  In 2011 and 2013, the Foundation “Princess Margarita of Romania” honored him with a royal scholarship, as well as he benefitted from the International Summer Academy’s” Scholarship offered by ISA’s 2011 Program in Vienna.  During 2012 he had full scholarship for “The Holter Music Festival” in Italy, the first recital held at the Romanian Athenaeum and the first concert as a soloist with the University Orchestra. For six months he became a part of “Emisia 2″ band, combining various music styles such as pop, rock and jazz through free improvisation. From 13 to 22 February 2013 he has been awarded with the scholarship for the European Improvisation Intensive Project in The Hague (NL). 

Cellist Eugen-Bogdan Popa was born in Iași, Romania, in 19 april 1980. He began music training at ”Octav Băncilă” Art Highschool in Iași, with prof.Eugenia-Liliana Baciu. He won first and second prizes at national performance contests (1994-1998). He attended several masterclasses held by prof. Marin Cazacu. He completed his studies – Bachelor, under the guidance of prof. Tiberiu Ungureanu, and Master degrees – at the National University of Music Bucharest. In 2010 he was awarded the title of Doctor at the National University of Music Bucharest, Thesis Title – ”Stylistic and performing aspects of the solo and chamber music for cello in the second half of the twentieth century”, scientific coordinator – prov.univ. dr. Nicolae Brânduș.

Since 2001, Eugen-Bogdan Popa works as cellist in the symphony orchestra of ”George Enescu” Philharmonic Bucharest. He also collaborated with the Chamber and Symphony Radio orchestras, with the ”Virtuozii” chamber orchestra, and participated as cellist in the musical part of some theatre and dramatic productions (Deceballo, Carmen`s Tragedy, The Journey of Orpheus). He is member of the ”ClavioArte” piano trio, of ”Noblesse” string quartet, of the ensembles  PROFIL,  PROPULS,  SonoMania  (contemporary music), ”Gli Studiosi di Sebastiano” (baroque music). Eugen-Bogdan Popa took part in CD recordings (Electrecord, Polish Institute in Bucharest, British Council), in TV and radio broadcasts/recordings (TVR Iaşi, Radio Iaşi, TVR 1, TVR Cultural, TV Trinitas). Since 2011 he has been associate professor with National University of Music Bucharest, teaching Cello and Orchestral studies (cello/double bass) classes.

The oboist Valentin Ghita is one of the most active musicians of his generation. He was born in Cluj-Napoca – Romania in old tradition musical family. He studied oboe at the G. Dima Academy with Firuța Mesaroș and Aurel Marc, at the National University of Music in Bucharest with Florin Ionoaia and privately in Berlin with Matthias Becker. He also took different master classes with soloists such as: Francois Leleux, David Walter, Dorin Gliga, Tuomas Kaipainen, Emilia Ksánky, Hans Elhorst.

He was awarded five times with the prestigious  First price at national oboe competitions and he participated in some national and international music festivals such as: International Radio Orchestras Festival – Bucharest,  George Enescu International Festival – Bucharest;  Contemporary Music Festival – Masan, South Coreea.

In 2005 he was invited by The Bombay Chamber Orchestra Society as guest professor for the students in Mumbay.

Very active as solist, he played with orchestras such as: Radio Chamber Orchestra – Bucharest, Transilvania State Filarmonic Orchestra, Pitesti Filarmonic Orchestra, Targoviște Filarmonic Orchestra, Napoca Chamber Orchestra, Focșani Chamber Orchestra, and the orchestras of the National University of music in Bucharest and Gh. Dima Academy in Cluj-Napoca.

Since 2009, Valentin is principal oboist of the National Radio Orchestra and  member of the most important Romanian private music groups like: Sonomania and devotioModerna – contemporary music groups, Five Quintet – The National Radio Orchestra woodwind quintet, Camerata Regala  Camerata Lanto Arte and Romanian Youth Orchestra.

Born in Romania in 1978, Costin Soare is one of the most active and committed guitarists of his generation.  He gives solo recitals and chamber music recitals throughout Romania as well as abroad in France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Japan. He also teaches at two of the main music institutions in Bucharest. He works as a full-time teacher at the ‘Dinu Lipatti’ National College of Music, Bucharest and he is associate teacher at the National University of Music in Bucharest (Performance section – 2002-2006, 2008-2009 and present; Chamber Music – 2002-2006).

Costin Soare started playing guitar at the age of 15, graduating from the Brasov Faculty of Music (Transilvania University) with a diploma in Music Performance and Teaching (in the class of Corneliu Voicescu). Soon after, he was awarded a full scholarship for a Master in Music Performance at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where he studied with Phillip Thorne and Allan Neave. During those years, he took part in masterclasses with renowned guitarists like Joaquin Cleerch, David Tanenbaum, Harvey Hope, Carlos Bonnell, Pablo Marquez, Zoran Dukic and Paolo Pegoraro; he won prizes in the National College and University Contests and in Craiova International Competition held in Romania.  His Ph. D. work with the dissertation entitled ‘The Sonata for Guitar in 1920-1950 period – The Neoromantic Generation’ was awarded ‘Magna cum Laudae’ in June 2011, showing his interest in theoretical research.

He is the co-organizer of the Guitar Evenings in Bucharest, a project started in 2008-2009 season of the ACCUMM Foundation series of concerts held in Sutu Palace. So far  the project ran around 10 concerts, either solos or chamber music, involving special guests.

Costin himself performs regularly in two chamber music ensembles: with the flute player Ion Bogdan Stefanescu (since 2008) and with the mezzosoprano Claudia Codreanu (since 2010), covering a repertoire ranging from John Dowland (played on the lute) to contemporary music. He also appears occasionally in other ensembles: guitar duo, violin-guitar duo or guitar with string quartet.  He was a co-director and performer in the play inspired by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s work  for narrator and guitar ‘Platero y yo’, staged in Bucharest, Baia-Mare and Sighisoara by Petru Maier Bianu. His programs can be defined by a thematic concept – such as recitals dedicated to Leo Brouwer, Toru Takemitsu (solo guitar and flute-guitar), ‘A Spanish Evening’ (solo guitar and voice-guitar), ‘Musica Nocturna’ (nocturnals for solo guitar from the 20^th century), ‘Italian 100%’ (flute and guitar) – or by the historical approach to the instrument conceived as a live performance of the music from the various eras (Renaissance, Baroque, Classical etc.)

After his solo debut concerts with the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Christoph von Dohnanyi, Florin Croitoru was acclaimed by the Austrian press as a “Phenomenal soloist” (O.O.Nachrichten - Linz) mastering a “perfect technique” (Neue Kronen Zeitung - Vienna). He has performed in countless recitals and concerts, in numerous countries from Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States. He has also won 11 prizes in different international music competitions, including, in 1992, the first prize at the “Fritz Kreisler” International Violin Competition in Vienna, becoming the first and to this day, the only Romanian violinist distinguished with this prestigious award. The teacher credit for the Kreisler award, goes entirely to Prof. Stefan Gheorghiu. To his credit are also many CD recordings, as well as live or recorded broadcasts on various American, Hungarian, Italian, French, Austrian, Japanese, Irish, Icelandic, Swedish, Polish, Norwegian, British and Romanian Radio and TV stations.

Florin received his degree from the Music Academy of Bucharest. His violin professors in Romania, were (in chronological order) : Ionel Nistor, Cristina Ardelean,Mihai Constantinescu, Valeriu Rogacev, Modest Iftinchi and Stefan Gheorghiu. From 1994 until 1995, after establishing himself in the United States, Florin Croitoru worked with Prof. Victor Danchenko.

His repertoire and recordings include most of the Violin Concertos ranging from baroque to contemporary, as well as a few Rare Recital Programs, such as ”Paganini’s 24 Caprices for solo violin“, “Fritz Kreisler – The Complete Works“, “The Virtuoso Violin“, “Florin Croitoru plays own transcriptions and original compositions“…

When not touring internationally, Croitoru also spends time in his native country, due to implementing his Ph.D. research, (concluded in 2003) on a new method of violin teaching. Today, many of his students are laureates of various national and international violin competitions.

Aside from soloing and teaching violin master courses, Florin Croitoru is regularly invited around the world as a jury member of International Music Competitions. Since 1999, he has been teaching at the National Music University in Bucharest.

Official website, here.

Considered one of the best pianists of his generation, Horia Maxim (b. 19.09.1971) has been an active musician since 1990, addressing a wide repertoire, both as a concert soloist – collaborator of most symphony orchestras of Romania, under the direction of prestigious conductors and as a partner of some important Romanian and international artists in various chamber ensembles. His virtuosity was appreciated also in piano recitals and concerts in major concert halls in Europe and Japan. His solo repertoire includes concerts by Mozart (K. 466 and 488), Beethoven (No. 2,3,5), Brahms (No. 1), Tchaikovsky (No. 1), Grieg, Rachmaninoff (No. 2 and 3) R. Strauss (Burlesque), Ravel (No. 1 and 2), while his chamber programs include a wide variety of works, from Bach and Händel to the most acclaimed contemporary composers.

Award winner of many national and international competitions, Horia Maxim has made many recordings for radio and television, playing, among others, a significant number of works in first audition.

He started his studies and the Bucharest „George Enescu” High-School, under the guidance of Professor Mircea Costache and completed with a Masters degree at the Bucharest National University of Music, having as piano teachers Dan Pavlovich and Delia Grigore. He also attended piano master classes in Romania and abroad.

At the same time with the solo performances, Horia Maxim is a professor at Bucharest National University of Music. As such, he was often invited in the juries of important national and international competitions.

Horia Maxim collaborated with many new music composers and played contemporary music along performers such as Ion Bogdan Stefanescu or Mario Caroli.

Pianist Adriana Maier studied at the George Enescu Music Highschool in Bucharest with Mircea Costache and with two great Romanian pianists, Aurora Ienei and Dan Grigore, at the National University of Music in Bucharest. She continued her master studies at the same University, where she also obtained a PhD in 2007. Adriana Maier was awarded prizes at numerous national an international competitions, such as Concertino (Prague, 1998), Ionel Perlea (four edtions), Constantin Silvestri, the EPTA International Congress (Belgrad, 1994), Eduard Flipse (Rotterdam, 1994), the International George Enescu Festival (five editions). The pianist played with philharmonic orchestras from Romania (Brașov, Craiova, Ploiești, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, Giurgiu, Bacău, Rm.-Vâlcea, Constanța) and abroad, under conductors such as  Ilarion Ionescu-Galați, Ovidiu Bălan, Gheorghe Costin,Theodor Costin, Paul Popescu, Daisuke Soga, Cem Mansur, Benno Foster, Itay Talgam, etc. She plays solo as well as in chamber ensembles in Romania and abroad (Holland, France, Greece, Yugoslavia, Germany, Switzerland, Poland), as well as in numerous Radio and TV broadcasts.

Adriana Maier is currently a lecturer at the National University of Music in Bucharest (chamber music) and a member of the Profil Ensemble. (source)