Cole Anderson and Siyuan Li

Take a good look at these young musicians. I think you will be hearing more of them very soon. They play together like a perfect pair. They are just amazingly adept and passionate when they play together. 

We've known Cole since his mother and I met when we had back to back radio shows on KZAZ. I think that was in 1993, so we've known him for a long time. Deborah, Cole's mom, is a classical guitarist and a fantastic teacher. Cole was home schooled and has lived and breathed piano since he was very young. 

Siyuan Li is from China. She and Cole met in college where they both were studying piano performance. My guess is that Siyuan also lived and breathed piano as she grew up. Both play fantastically when solo. And they are a perfect match musically and personally. 

Cole and Siyaun were recently married. They are both still in school working on their doctorates and already travel and play together professionally. We heard them play Ravel's La Valse at the Centennial Bellingham Music Club concert recently. It was a breath taking performance and a highlight of the concert. I was the official photographer at the rehearsal and took some dramatic photos of the two of them.

When Deborah asked if I could photograph them in more formal attire, I was happy to do it and to give the photos to them to use as they continue developing their careers. We met at Lairmont Manor in Bellingham to take some photos at the piano and in the gardens. It was fun. Afterwards we all went out for pizza together. We all spent time laughing and talking together. It was a lovely evening.