About Trio Zenia

Violinist Jacob Schafer, cellist Patricia Ryan, and pianist Jeong-Eun Lee debuted as Trio Zenia in March 2023 at the University of Texas San Antonio. Holding degrees from Rice University, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music, University of Southern California, and Yale University, the three have played together in many collaborative opportunities and are excited to reunite professionally.

Jacob is a freelance violinist based in Houston, TX and is a core member of Loop38 and KINETIC. Patricia is the cellist of the Artaria String Quartet based in the Twin Cities and is a core member of 10th Wave Chamber Music Collective, KINETIC, and Delphia Cello Quartet as well as the host of the podcast Haydn Behind the Music Stand. Jeong-Eun is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Collaborative Piano at UTSA and performs extensively throughout Texas.

What does “Zenia” mean?

”Zenia” (ZEHN-ee-ah) is a composite of the words zinnia, xenia, and zen.

The Zinnia flower, a symbol of friendship, pays tribute to the trio’s origin. Xenia, the Greek concept of hospitality and gift exchange, represents the reciprocal relationship between music, musician, and audience. The Zen philosophy of finding mindful awareness in the present moment is the musical experience we hope to inspire in our audiences during our performances.