January 28, 2023–The Colonial Beach Performing Arts Association invited the Ascend Strings quartet to perform at the Colonial Beach Playhouse on Saturday night.
The performance, which was announced in November 2022, sold out within 30 days of its announcement.
The evening started with wine sponsored by Ingleside Vineyards and hors d’oeuvres sponsored by Dr. Nick Savage of Capital Naturopathic Medicine in Colonial Beach.
The evening opened to a selection of string pieces performed by first violin Jona Han, second violin Elvin Fragata, viola Aditya Biswas and cello Aiden Rong.
All of the musicians are juniors at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford County, Virginia. The young men started their music careers early in life, as young as age 5. They have held a number of positions including concertmaster of the all-county Stafford orchestra and section leader in the school orchestra.
Music included the Brahms Waltz, Song From A Secret Garden, Yesterday, Godfather Love Theme, etc.
Artistic Director Bob Christiansen, at the Playhouse, hopes to ask the quartet to return to Colonial Beach this summer for additional performances.

Han, the violinist, stated that he “believes that music has the power to heal and that this group is a medium to spread their love of music.”
Starting upper left and clockwise Aiden Rong performs on his cello, the quartet focused on their scores and Jona Han works his violin. Staff photo.