About US
Founded in 2016, Bedford Trio is the inaugural piano trio for the Irene R. Miller Piano Trio Residency at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music. During the 2020/21 academic year, the trio hosted and adjudicated the first edition of the University of Toronto Piano Trio Composition Competition and gave a virtual premiere of the winning piece by Katharine Petkovski as part of the Faculty's 2021/2022 New Music Festival. The second annual competition is currently underway, with a winner to be announced in late 2022.
Bedford Trio has performed in Canada, the United States, and Europe. They were a finalist group in the 2018 Anton Rubinstein International Chamber Music in Germany and a semi-finalist group in the 2019 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in the US. They participated in the Career Development Residency at Ottawa Chamberfest under the mentorship of Gryphon Trio. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the trio performed virtually at several international events in the past year, including the season opening gala concert at the Tartini Conservatory in Trieste, Italy, the 2020 Refugee Student Fund Benefit Concert at the University of Toronto’s Innis College, “Concert in the Cloud,” a virtual concert in China celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday, Music in the Atrium at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, and the Skyky Multicultural Learning Foundation’s Youth Fundraising Concert for SickKids Foundation.
Bedford Trio is committed to commissioning and performing contemporary repertoire by both established and emerging composers. Since 2018, the trio has been working with grade 11 composition students at Earl Haig Secondary School, workshopping their compositions throughout the academic year and performing them as part of the year-end showcase. The trio is dedicated to bringing live music performance to a diverse audience and has given recitals in senior residences, community centres, hospices, and hospitals across Ontario. During the 2019-2020 season, the trio delivered sensory-friendly concerts for autistic youth and their families and performed for adults with Alzheimer in collaboration with the charity organization Xenia Concerts.
Bedford Trio was founded by award winning instrumentalists Alessia Disimino (violin), Andrew Ascenzo (cello), and Jialiang Zhu (piano) and is currently based in Toronto, Canada. Bedford Trio is grateful to be working with Toronto-based designer Zvelle, who is the 2021/22 season sponsor. To learn more about Zvelle, please visit zvelle.com. To learn about Bedford Trio’s latest events, please visit bedfordtrio.com/concerts and follow them on Instagram @bedford trio.
Bedford Trio has performed in Canada, the United States, and Europe. They were a finalist group in the 2018 Anton Rubinstein International Chamber Music in Germany and a semi-finalist group in the 2019 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in the US. They participated in the Career Development Residency at Ottawa Chamberfest under the mentorship of Gryphon Trio. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the trio performed virtually at several international events in the past year, including the season opening gala concert at the Tartini Conservatory in Trieste, Italy, the 2020 Refugee Student Fund Benefit Concert at the University of Toronto’s Innis College, “Concert in the Cloud,” a virtual concert in China celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday, Music in the Atrium at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, and the Skyky Multicultural Learning Foundation’s Youth Fundraising Concert for SickKids Foundation.
Bedford Trio is committed to commissioning and performing contemporary repertoire by both established and emerging composers. Since 2018, the trio has been working with grade 11 composition students at Earl Haig Secondary School, workshopping their compositions throughout the academic year and performing them as part of the year-end showcase. The trio is dedicated to bringing live music performance to a diverse audience and has given recitals in senior residences, community centres, hospices, and hospitals across Ontario. During the 2019-2020 season, the trio delivered sensory-friendly concerts for autistic youth and their families and performed for adults with Alzheimer in collaboration with the charity organization Xenia Concerts.
Bedford Trio was founded by award winning instrumentalists Alessia Disimino (violin), Andrew Ascenzo (cello), and Jialiang Zhu (piano) and is currently based in Toronto, Canada. Bedford Trio is grateful to be working with Toronto-based designer Zvelle, who is the 2021/22 season sponsor. To learn more about Zvelle, please visit zvelle.com. To learn about Bedford Trio’s latest events, please visit bedfordtrio.com/concerts and follow them on Instagram @bedford trio.
Alessia Disimino - Violin
Toronto-based violinist Alessia Disimino is recognized for her thoughtful musicality and instinctive interpretations. Described as "one of Toronto's finest violinists" (Snapd Beaches/Danforth), she is the co-founder and violinist of the Bedford Trio, concertmaster of the North York Concert Orchestra, and founder and Director of Strings at the North York String Academy, where she teaches the violin on a private and group class basis and curates the violin program. Alessia is a graduate of the University of Toronto's Master of Music in Performance (Hons.) as a scholarship student of Dr. Timothy Ying, and also obtained her Bachelor of Music in Performance (Hons.) with a Minor in English, with Annalee Patipatanakoon of the Gryphon Trio.
Most recently, the Bedford Trio was announced as the inaugural Irene R. Miller Piano Trio Residency ensemble at the University of Toronto for 2018-2019. The Trio was also named Ottawa Chamberfest’s 2018 Career Development Residency ensemble, where the group worked with the esteemed artists of the Gryphon Trio and What Make’s It Great’s Rob Kapilow. Chamberfest initiatives also saw the Bedford Trio featured in tour performances at Ottawa’s City Hall, in Montreal, and again in Ottawa during the Residency (July to August). During her time at the University of Toronto, Alessia served as concertmaster of the University of Toronto Orchestra and Opera, and as a soloist and chamber musician, has performed in master classes for Jonathan Crow, Erika Raum, Mark Fewer, Jeanne Lamon, Lara St. John, Gryphon Trio, Menahem Pressler, and the Juilliard String Quartet, amongst others. Alessia is also an active freelance violinist in Toronto, and performs with various ensembles in Vaughan and the Greater Toronto Area, including Maestro Kerry Stratton’s Toronto Concert Orchestra.
A recipient of numerous awards, Alessia was awarded the Gordon Cressy Leadership Award for her outstanding contributions to her community and to the University, and also received an Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2017). Previous awards include Gerhard Kander Graduating Award for Violin, the Suba Institute Award for Performing Excellence, the Felix Galimir Award for Excellence in Chamber Music (2015), and the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto Centennial Scholarship (2014). Alessia holds her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) in Violin Performance (First Class Honours with Distinction), is an alumnus of the RCM’s Young Artist’s Performance Academy (2009-2011) and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (2010-2012), and has attended summer study programs including the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute, the Orford Academy, and the Domaine Forget Academy. For her pedagogical training, Alessia has also attended the University of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium and the Indiana University Violin and Viola Teacher Retreat.
Alessia is equally passionate about teaching and community outreach. She has provided violin instruction on a private basis for students of all ages and levels, performs regularly in music ministry at her parish, and with the Bedford Trio, North York Concert Orchestra, and Toronto Community Orchestra, with whom she was concertmaster (2015-2018) and appeared as a soloist in May of 2018, has performed outreach concerts for numerous senior residences and hospitals throughout Toronto.
In her spare time, Alessia loves to write poetry, paint, and read books on a variety of subjects, including English literature, Fiction, Theology, and translations of Classical literature.
Most recently, the Bedford Trio was announced as the inaugural Irene R. Miller Piano Trio Residency ensemble at the University of Toronto for 2018-2019. The Trio was also named Ottawa Chamberfest’s 2018 Career Development Residency ensemble, where the group worked with the esteemed artists of the Gryphon Trio and What Make’s It Great’s Rob Kapilow. Chamberfest initiatives also saw the Bedford Trio featured in tour performances at Ottawa’s City Hall, in Montreal, and again in Ottawa during the Residency (July to August). During her time at the University of Toronto, Alessia served as concertmaster of the University of Toronto Orchestra and Opera, and as a soloist and chamber musician, has performed in master classes for Jonathan Crow, Erika Raum, Mark Fewer, Jeanne Lamon, Lara St. John, Gryphon Trio, Menahem Pressler, and the Juilliard String Quartet, amongst others. Alessia is also an active freelance violinist in Toronto, and performs with various ensembles in Vaughan and the Greater Toronto Area, including Maestro Kerry Stratton’s Toronto Concert Orchestra.
A recipient of numerous awards, Alessia was awarded the Gordon Cressy Leadership Award for her outstanding contributions to her community and to the University, and also received an Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2017). Previous awards include Gerhard Kander Graduating Award for Violin, the Suba Institute Award for Performing Excellence, the Felix Galimir Award for Excellence in Chamber Music (2015), and the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto Centennial Scholarship (2014). Alessia holds her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) in Violin Performance (First Class Honours with Distinction), is an alumnus of the RCM’s Young Artist’s Performance Academy (2009-2011) and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (2010-2012), and has attended summer study programs including the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute, the Orford Academy, and the Domaine Forget Academy. For her pedagogical training, Alessia has also attended the University of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium and the Indiana University Violin and Viola Teacher Retreat.
Alessia is equally passionate about teaching and community outreach. She has provided violin instruction on a private basis for students of all ages and levels, performs regularly in music ministry at her parish, and with the Bedford Trio, North York Concert Orchestra, and Toronto Community Orchestra, with whom she was concertmaster (2015-2018) and appeared as a soloist in May of 2018, has performed outreach concerts for numerous senior residences and hospitals throughout Toronto.
In her spare time, Alessia loves to write poetry, paint, and read books on a variety of subjects, including English literature, Fiction, Theology, and translations of Classical literature.
Andrew Ascenzo - Cello
Cellist. Performer. Conductor. Composer. Musical Director. Artistic Director. Teacher. Video Producer. Audio Engineer. Multi-Instrumentalist. Andrew Ascenzo is redefining what it means to be a professional musician in the 21st Century.
As one of Toronto's most versatile musicians, Andrew embodies a passion for presenting a myriad of musical styles to diverse audiences across Canada. He performs regularly as a soloist and is a member of the Bedford Trio, currently the Irene R. Miller Piano Trio in Residence at the University of Toronto and finalists of the Anton Rubinstein International Chamber Music Competition. In August 2019, Andrew recorded, designed, and performed the electronic component for the world premiere of Rob Kapilow's recent composition Aprés Maman at Ottawa Chamberfest. As a conductor, Andrew has worked with orchestras and musical theatre groups including York University and Etobicoke Musical Productions, and most recently was the Musical Director and Keyboard/Conductor for Brampton Music Theatre's Fall 2019 production of Mamma Mia! Andrew is the Artistic Director of Music in the Atrium, a weekly concert series, now in its 25th season, at Toronto's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Andrew is designing a new genre of concert with renowned music therapist SarahRose Black, combining live performance with narratives of the power of music in health and well-being, and now, which can now be found on YouTube on the channel Pulse Music Media.
Andrew is a graduate of the Doctor of Musical Arts program at the University of Toronto and recipient of the Tecumseh Sherman Rogers Graduating Award, the highest honour awarded by the Faculty of Music. Andrew studied with Professor Shauna Rolston, and pursued a research interest in repertoire for solo cello and electronics. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from U of T. Andrew has attended the Banff Summer Music program and had the privilege to study with some of the great cello masters, including Aldo Parisot, Janos Starker, and Raphael Wallfisch. Beginning in September 2020, Andrew will be an instructor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music.
As one of Toronto's most versatile musicians, Andrew embodies a passion for presenting a myriad of musical styles to diverse audiences across Canada. He performs regularly as a soloist and is a member of the Bedford Trio, currently the Irene R. Miller Piano Trio in Residence at the University of Toronto and finalists of the Anton Rubinstein International Chamber Music Competition. In August 2019, Andrew recorded, designed, and performed the electronic component for the world premiere of Rob Kapilow's recent composition Aprés Maman at Ottawa Chamberfest. As a conductor, Andrew has worked with orchestras and musical theatre groups including York University and Etobicoke Musical Productions, and most recently was the Musical Director and Keyboard/Conductor for Brampton Music Theatre's Fall 2019 production of Mamma Mia! Andrew is the Artistic Director of Music in the Atrium, a weekly concert series, now in its 25th season, at Toronto's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Andrew is designing a new genre of concert with renowned music therapist SarahRose Black, combining live performance with narratives of the power of music in health and well-being, and now, which can now be found on YouTube on the channel Pulse Music Media.
Andrew is a graduate of the Doctor of Musical Arts program at the University of Toronto and recipient of the Tecumseh Sherman Rogers Graduating Award, the highest honour awarded by the Faculty of Music. Andrew studied with Professor Shauna Rolston, and pursued a research interest in repertoire for solo cello and electronics. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from U of T. Andrew has attended the Banff Summer Music program and had the privilege to study with some of the great cello masters, including Aldo Parisot, Janos Starker, and Raphael Wallfisch. Beginning in September 2020, Andrew will be an instructor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music.
Jialiang Zhu - Piano
Jialiang Zhu is a native of China and currently calls Toronto, Canada her home. Jialiang completed her Bachelor in Piano Performance and Masters in Piano Performance and Pedagogy with Professor Marietta Orlov at the University of Toronto. She is continuing her studies at the University of Toronto, pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree under the tutelage of Professor Lydia Wong. Jialiang recently won the 2017 Gwendolyn Williams Koldofsky Prize in Accompanying.
Jialiang loves to collaborate with other artists. She is an alumna of both Banff Collaborative Piano Residency and Toronto Summer Music Festival. Her passion for contemporary music has led her to collaborative projects such as: Tapestry New Opera Workshops; the FAWN opera production Herma’s Shepherd: Vision I at the Open Ear Festival of Art, Architecture, and Sound; and the Tapestry Opera/Canadian Stage co-production Noor over Afghan at the Festival of Ideas and Creation. Jialiang co-founded the Bedford Trio with violinist Alessia Disimino and cellist Andrew Ascenzo. The Bedford Trio performs regularly, is an alumnus of the Orford Music Academy, and recently completed the Career Development Residency at Ottawa Chamberfest.
Jialiang finds equal inspiration in solo piano performance. She was the featured soloist in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the York Chamber Ensemble. Jialiang was a semi-finalist in the 2016 Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition and a finalist in the 2017 Vancouver International Piano Competition. Mostly recently, she won the University of Toronto’s 2018 DMA Recital Competition and will perform in the Thursdays at Noon concert series in March 2019.
A passionate teacher, Jialiang has been working at the University of Toronto Piano Pedagogy Program since 2012. Most recently in May 2018, she adjudicated the Chinese Compositions Group and Bach group in the Canadian International Music Competition. Jialiang also has a studio of private students.
Jialiang loves to collaborate with other artists. She is an alumna of both Banff Collaborative Piano Residency and Toronto Summer Music Festival. Her passion for contemporary music has led her to collaborative projects such as: Tapestry New Opera Workshops; the FAWN opera production Herma’s Shepherd: Vision I at the Open Ear Festival of Art, Architecture, and Sound; and the Tapestry Opera/Canadian Stage co-production Noor over Afghan at the Festival of Ideas and Creation. Jialiang co-founded the Bedford Trio with violinist Alessia Disimino and cellist Andrew Ascenzo. The Bedford Trio performs regularly, is an alumnus of the Orford Music Academy, and recently completed the Career Development Residency at Ottawa Chamberfest.
Jialiang finds equal inspiration in solo piano performance. She was the featured soloist in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the York Chamber Ensemble. Jialiang was a semi-finalist in the 2016 Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition and a finalist in the 2017 Vancouver International Piano Competition. Mostly recently, she won the University of Toronto’s 2018 DMA Recital Competition and will perform in the Thursdays at Noon concert series in March 2019.
A passionate teacher, Jialiang has been working at the University of Toronto Piano Pedagogy Program since 2012. Most recently in May 2018, she adjudicated the Chinese Compositions Group and Bach group in the Canadian International Music Competition. Jialiang also has a studio of private students.
