The Kaidentino Trio was founded in 2023 as part of the Frost School of Music’s Preparatory Department Chamber Music Program in Miami, Florida. This project marks their debut as a trio. Caden Deng, 10, and Kai Subhawong, 12, formed a violin-piano duo in 2022 which later expanded into a trio when Valentina Mercado, 12, joined the ensemble.
Caden has been studying with Polish-born violinist Katarzyna Cieslik since the age of 6. He is an avid history, math, and science buff. Kai started playing piano at the age of 3 with his mother and has been studying with Albanian-born pianist Inesa Gegprifti for the last 4 years. Apart from music, he is interested in soccer, chess, and Rubik’s Cube. Valentina started playing cello at the age of 7. She moved to Miami from Boston in 2022; she played for the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra Petit Ensemble for two years. She was part of BYSO’s Intensive Community Program for four years studying under Nicole Cariglia.
She also loves reading anime and playing volleyball
You can find the trio’s 2023 World Music Competition performance here.