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Sunday, May 31 2026, 7:30 PM

Bluestone Strings

Benjamin Scott & Malorie Blake Shin, violins
Lauren Scott, viola
Raymond Tsai, cello

Musica Obscura

Let Bluestone Strings take you off the beaten path on an international tour of classical music. The program features music for string quartet by composers, two pianists and two violinists, who share a distinctive commonality.

PROGRAM

Caroline Shaw (1982 – )

Plan & Elevation: The Grounds of Dumbarton Oaks (2015)
I. The Ellipse
II. The Cutting Garden
III. The Herbaceous Border
IV. The Orangery
V. The Beech Tree

Germaine Tailleferre (1892 – 1983)

String Quartet (1919)
Modéré
Intermède
Final. Vif

Rhiannon Giddens (1977 – ) – arr. Jacob Garchik

At the Purchaser’s Option (2016)

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805 – 1847)

String Quartet in E-flat Major (1834)
Adagio ma non troppo
Allegreto
Romanze
Allegro molto vivace

BIOGRAPHY

The third NSO Youth Fellow to join the National Symphony Orchestra, violinist Benjamin Scott holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the New England Conservatory. Upon conclusion of his fellowship with the New World Symphony, he performed regularly with the Pittsburgh Symphony, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and The Philly POPS, among others. Benjamin acted as associate concertmaster of the National Philharmonic for four years and appeared as a guest soloist at their Summer String Institute. Highlights of his performance background include touring Europe and Asia with The Philadelphia Orchestra, performing Gustav Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand for its Philadelphia centennial, participating in the internationally broadcast World Meeting of Families Concert in 2015, and recording tracks at NFL Films used for Super Bowls XLVIII–LII.

Benjamin has toured the United States, Europe, and Mexico with the Verbier Festival Orchestra, American Institute of Musical Studies, and the Star Wars In Concert Symphony. He collaborated in chamber performances with cellist Clive Greensmith while concertmaster at the Pacific Music Festival and was a member Artosphere Festival Orchestra during its inaugural season. Together with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, he performed in the 2014 Well-tempered United States tour, led by Grammy Award®-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis.

Benjamin performs annually in the Summer Chamber Music Series of the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association and has recently presented concerts in Maryland and Pennsylvania with the Nottingham ensemble. He performs on a 2016 Guadagnini copy by Samuel Payton of Philadelphia.

Malorie Blake Shin was appointed to the second violin section of the National Symphony Orchestra by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda in October 2018.

Originally from New Hampshire, Blake Shin grew up in a musical family. She started on the piano but soon began playing the violin in her older sister’s footsteps. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Music degree at Boston University, studying with Lucia Lin. As a student, she was the winner of the School of Music Bach Competition. Blake Shin continued her studies at Rice University Shepherd School of Music, receiving her Master of Music degree under the instruction of Sergiu Luca.

Blake Shin has appeared with many orchestras throughout the United States, including the Detroit Symphony, Houston Symphony, Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Honolulu Symphony, and the Baltimore Symphony. When she is not on stage with the National Symphony Orchestra, she can be heard performing with the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra and the National Chamber Players.

Lauren Ellis Scott is a dynamic violinist, violist, and music educator in and around the District of Columbia. She has performed with ensembles including American Institute of Musical Studies Festival Orchestra, Charleston Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, The Philly POPS, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Eclipse Chamber Orchestra, and the Maryland Lyric Opera, and she has worked with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Andrea Bocelli, Linda Watson, Bobby Vinton, Ledisi, and Steve Martin. Lauren has recorded music with NFL films for Super Bowls 50, LI, and LII, and her award-winning students have enjoyed performances around the United States and China.You can find more information about You can find more information about

Lauren holds degrees from Temple University and Stony Brook University, and her teachers include William de Pasquale, Kerri Ryan, Emily Schaad, and Richard Roberts. She has worked as a teaching artist for The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, Greenville County Youth Orchestra, 9th Street Chamber Music, DC Youth Orchestra Program, and American Youth Philharmonic, and she maintains a small teaching studio guided by the principles of Shin’ichi Suzuki. Together with her husband, Lauren regularly performs as a Musician on Call at Children’s National Hospital in addition to other concert, community, and special event performances.

Alabama native Raymond Tsai began with the National Symphony Orchestra as assistant principal cellist in September 2025. Prior to joining the NSO, Raymond studied with Richard Aaron and pursued his bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan. Beginning cello studies at eight years old, Raymond discovered his love of orchestra playing during fellowships at the Pacific and Tanglewood music festivals. Outside of classical music, Raymond enjoys athletic activities and noodling around on the guitar.

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