The Katarina String Quartet is Juilliard's new graduate string quartet, beginning their residency in September 2024 and staying until spring 2026.
As Lisa Arnhold Fellows, the members of the KSQ will perform in an annual recital at Alice Tully Hall, coach with the Juilliard Quartet, and take part in the annual Juilliard String Quartet Seminar. They will also assist the JSQ with its ensemble and chamber music instruction, coach other student ensembles, and assist in the first year String Quartet Survey class. At the end of their residency, each of the KSQ members will receive an Artist Diploma in String Quartet Studies.
Founded in 2022 at the McGill University's Schulich School of Music, the quartet takes its name from Katarina Guarneri, née Rota, the German wife of the celebrated Baroque luthier, Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù. Many of the instruments initially credited to Guarneri were, in fact, his wife's creations. Inspired by her, the KSQ "pays tribute to the many forgotten women whose uncredited contribution to the industry paved the way for music to be shared for years to come."
Known for their "evocative interpretations and deeply personal sound," the quartet has worked with members of the Alban Berg, Dover, and Danel Quartets, and studied extensively with André Roy, Gerhard Schulz, the Pacifica Quartet, and Atar Arad. Its members-violinists Jeanel Liang and Jérôme Chiasson, violist Celia Morin, and cellist Maya Enstad-are active participants in North America's classical music scene. The group has also 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, the primary mentors in the program."
The KSQ succeeds the Ivalas Quartet, which will complete its residency at the end of the 2024 semester.
