 In 1993, her family moved to the United States, where she was enrolled in the pre-college division of the Juilliard School.In 1993, she attended Mischa Maisky's masterclasses in Siena, Italy, and continued to study with him privately.In 1994, she competed in the Fifth Rostropovich International Cello Competition, and was awarded both the First Prize as well as the Contemporary Music Prize.