Dr. Lyu Lian began her violin studies at the age of five. In 2013, she was admitted to East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai, China, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Violin Performance. She later received her second master’s degree in Violin Performance from the University of North Dakota (UND) in 2019, studying under the guidance of Dr. Alejandro Drago. During her studies, she also had the privilege of working with Adam Kostecki, Professor of Violin at the University of Music, Drama and Media Hannover in Germany. In May 2026, Dr. Lian completed her Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Violin Performance at the University of Georgia, where she studied with Professor Levon Ambartsumian and completed a minor in Violin Pedagogy under Professor Kristin Jutras.
As a performer, Dr. Lian has performed a broad range of violin repertoire, spanning from the Baroque era to contemporary works. Her musical experiences across diverse styles have shaped her versatility and artistic perspective. As a chamber musician, she has performed with various ensembles, including string quartets, piano trios and other chamber groups. She is the co-founder of the Farian Duo, a violin and double bass ensemble with her husband. Through innovative programming and collaborative performance, the duo explores the unique colors and possibilities of this distinctive combination of instruments while sharing their passion for chamber music with audiences. As an orchestral musician, Dr. Lian served as concertmaster of university symphony orchestras for several years during her academic studies. She currently performs as a section violinist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (GA) and South Carolina Philharmonic, and has also collaborated with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Savannah Philharmonic, and Augusta Symphony Orchestra.
As an educator, Dr. Lian is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and is passionate about inspiring students of all ages and levels. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the integration of technical excellence, musical understanding, and thoughtful practice strategies. Rooted in the belief that strong technical foundations and artistic expression go hand in hand, she combines rigorous instruction with individualized guidance to help students develop confidence, musical independence, and a lifelong connection with music. Drawing from her extensive training in violin performance and pedagogy, she guides students toward becoming expressive, well-rounded musicians while helping each student achieve their unique musical goals.
Through a variety of violin pedagogy approaches, Dr. Lian focuses on building a strong technical foundation while cultivating musicality, creativity, and discipline. Her students have achieved success in competitive auditions for youth and academic ensembles, including Georgia All-State Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Gwinnett County Youth Orchestra. Her students have earned top placements, including second chair (first violin) in the University of Georgia’s University Philharmonia and Principal Second Violin in the Georgia All-State Symphony Orchestra.
