The Team
Who We Are
Jona Han
Violin
Jona Han is a founding member of Ascend Strings. He is a current freshman at Georgetown University, studying Global Health with a concentration on pre-medicine. His musical journey began when he was 5 years old and continues to pursue his passion at university as a member of the Georgetown University Orchestra. In the past, Jona has been concertmaster for several years at his high school and in all-county orchestras. He and his friends took the initiative to create a group that was open to the public and focused on community service. He believes that music has the power to heal and that this group is a medium to spread their love for music.
Aditya Biswas
Viola
Aditya Biswas is a freshman at Princeton University, where he is planning to major in biological physics. His musical journey started in first grade and, looking to spread music and happiness throughout the community, he assisted in creating Ascend Strings with his friends. In addition to being the violist for Ascend Strings, he plays the violin and has been a violinist in all-county, regionals, and all-state orchestra events. He is a former member of the Colonial Forge High School Chamber orchestra.
Karina Han
Violin
Karina Han was section leader and concertmistress. She was the leader of her own quartet in high school. She also participated in regional and all-county orchestras. She graduated from Georgetown University and is currently working in DC.
Aiden Rong
Cello
Aiden Rong is a freshman at the University of Virginia, where he is planning to major in commerce with a focus on accounting. He has been playing the cello for eight years, and his passion for sharing music and enjoying it with friends moved him to help create this nonprofit quartet during the pandemic to bring joy and connection to the community. Aiden is also a member of the Charlottesville Symphony at UVA, where he continues to perform alongside like-minded musicians and further explore his enjoyment for music.
Elvin Fragata
Violin
Elvin Fragata was a former member of Ascend Strings and a current freshman at the University of Virginia. He started playing the violin and organ in sixth grade and has been playing ever since. He first picked the violin to see what the orchestra was like and the organ to accompany his church choir. He has participated in multiple all-county orchestras and is a current section leader of the school orchestra. He has also been the assistant concertmaster of all-county orchestras for several years. Looking to expand his musical career, he assisted in creating the Ascend Strings with three of his orchestra companions.
