The Luminis Trio, formed in 2024, is a youth chamber ensemble composed of James Cao (piano), Jasmine Chan (violin), and Vera Muller (cello), all members of the San Diego Youth Symphony. Their private instructors include Anthony Do-Hoon Kim, Michael Tseitlin, Irina Tseitlin, and Chia-Ling Chien. Recently, the trio won the regional round of the VOCE competition in the chamber music category and actively participates in Songs4Smiles, bringing live chamber music to local hospitals and retirement homes in San Diego. James, 14, began piano lessons at age five and later took up the violin at age eight. Jasmine, 15, started learning piano at age four and began playing the violin at eight. Vera, also 15, began studying the cello at age five and played the clarinet for three years. Outside of music, James enjoys playing soccer and badminton, Jas has a passion for drawing, reading, and swimming, while Vera is an avid reader, coder and competitor in the Science Olympiad.
Watch James Cao, Jasmine Chan, and Vera Muller perform Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 11 ‘Gassenhauer’ Mvt. 1: Allegro con brio by Ludwig van Beethoven and Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor Mvt. 2 – Allegro con brio by Dmitri Shostakovich on the piano, violin, and cello for the 2025 Classical Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.