NYC Gazette

[NEW YORK, May 28, 2024]––The Katarina String Quartet has been named Juilliard’s next graduate resident string quartet. The ensemble’s two-year residency begins in September and runs through spring 2026. Violinists Jeanel Liang and Jérôme Chiasson, violist Celia Morin, and cellist Maya Enstad form the Canadian ensemble, which was founded in 2022 under the tutelage of André Roy at McGill University in Montreal.

The Katarina String Quartet aims to pursue projects centered around inclusivity, sustainability, and accessibility. Inspired by Katarina Guarneri, the wife of renowned violinmaker Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù, the quartet pays tribute to lesser-known women whose uncredited contributions have shaped classical music for centuries. The quartet was recently awarded the gold medal and the BIPOC Composer Prize at the Saint Paul String Quartet Competition. Previously, they won first prize at the Canadian Music and McGill Chamber Music competitions.

“We are pleased to welcome the Katarina Quartet to this long-standing string quartet-in-residence position at Juilliard,” said David Serkin Ludwig, dean and director of Juilliard’s Music Division. “This ensemble shares our commitment to tradition and innovation, performing works by composers ranging from Haydn to Vivian Fung. We are excited to have the quartet join our community and know they will flourish in their opportunity to work with members of the legendary Juilliard String Quartet (JSQ), the primary mentors in the program.”

As Lisa Arnhold Fellows at Juilliard, members of the Katarina String Quartet will perform an annual recital at Alice Tully Hall in New York, coach regularly with the Juilliard String Quartet, and participate in the annual Juilliard String Quartet Seminar. They will also assist JSQ with its ensemble and chamber music instruction, coach other student ensembles, and assist in the first-year String Quartet Survey class. Upon successful completion of their residency in 2026, each member will be awarded an Artist Diploma in String Quartet Studies.

“The Katarina Quartet will bring much to Juilliard's chamber music culture,” said Merry Peckham, assistant dean and director of chamber music. “This wonderful quartet will be a force for good in the name of great chamber music making.”

The most recent Juilliard quartet-in-residence is Ivalas Quartet, completing its residency at the end of this semester. Other past resident quartets include Aeolus, Afiara, Attacca, Avalon, Biava, Calder, Cassatt, Chiara, Corigliano, Essex Lark Maia Magellan (now Whitman), Miró St Lawrence Shanghai Ulysses Verona.

Juilliard’s graduate resident string quartet is supported by the Arnhold Foundation and George L Shields Foundation.

About The Katarina String Quartet

Known for its evocative interpretations and deeply personal sound The KSQ has studied with members Alban Berg Dover Danel quartets coached extensively André Roy McGill Gerhard Schulz International Musicians Seminar Prussia Cove England Pacifica Atar Arad professional Bloomington Indiana participated senior August featured Robert Mann Institute New York City regular featured artists central classical societies Montreal cherish connection city.

The members aim pursue repertoire intersect musical moral values focus fostering inclusivity sustainability accessibility takes name Guarneri wife legendary violinmaker Giuseppe del Gesù made violins guise during productive years career rumored responsible many successful inspired pays tribute forgotten women uncredited contribution industry paved way shared years come.

For more information visit katarinastringquartet.com

About The Juilliard School

Founded 1905 world leader performing arts education mission provide highest caliber artistic education gifted musicians dancers actors composers choreographers playwrights around world achieve fullest potential artists leaders global citizens led Damian Woetzel seventh president prioritized affordability access highest level artistic education championing tradition excellence.

Located Lincoln Center New York City offers undergraduate graduate degrees dance drama acting playwriting music classical jazz historical performance vocal arts More than 800 artists from 42 states 50 countries regions enrolled College Division appear more than 700 annual performances five theaters Lincoln Center Alice Tully David Geffen Carnegie Hall other venues around U.S world continuum learning includes nearly students elementary high school enrolled Preparatory Division Pre-College Advancement Program MAP serves diverse backgrounds often underrepresented classical field More than enrolled Extension flagship continuing education program taught both person remotely dedicated faculty performers creators scholars Beyond campus defining new directions range learners enthusiasts global K-12 educational curricula preparatory graduate studies Tianjin China.

juilliard.edu @juilliardschool

CONTACT:

Allegra Thoresen

athoresen@juilliard.edu

Image: The Katarina String Quartet Photo by: Lou Anne Gouin Plourde

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