Lambert, a Montréal-based violist with a doctorate in viola performance from McGill University, has built a distinguished career as a performer, educator, and chamber musician. He is regularly invited to perform with major ensembles such as Les Violons du Roy, the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec, and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and serves as principal violist of the Orchestre symphonique de Laval. As a founding member of the Lloyd Carr-Harris String Quartet and longtime member of the Molinari Quartet, Lambert’s artistry has been recognized with numerous Prix Opus distinctions from the Conseil québécois de la musique, underscoring his contribution to Québec’s concert scene. He is also a respected pedagogue at both McGill University and the Université du Québec à Montréal, and a cultural commentator on Radio-Canada.

Chloé Dumoulin has garnered international acclaim for her sensitive touch, rich tonal palette, and dynamic musical presence. Named among CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30,” Dumoulin has performed extensively across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia, appearing as soloist with orchestras such as the Orchestre Métropolitain and the Orchestre symphonique de Laval. A laureate of major competitions including the Concours Prix d’Europe, she holds a double master’s degree in solo and collaborative piano and has graduated with an Artist Diploma from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London as a Leverhulme Arts Scholar. An ardent chamber musician, she has collaborated with instrumentalists and vocalists on renowned festivals and recital series.

Together, Lambert and Dumoulin released their acclaimed album Nouveau Lyrisme in June 2025, a richly curated collection of contemporary works for viola and piano that explores lyrical expression across the modern Québec repertoire. The recording—noted for its intimate dialogue, bold contrasts, and emotional depth—has been recognized with a Prix Opus nomination, highlighting the duo’s artistic vision and impact on the contemporary chamber music landscape.

Alongside their passion for the traditional chamber music repertoire, the Callisto Quartet values frequent collaboration with living composers. The Callisto Quartet can be heard alongside Frank Morelli on the album From the Soul, for which they recorded Meeelaan by Wynton Marsalis. In collaboration with composer Niloufar Iravani, the Callisto Quartet recorded The Maze for New Focus Records on Sirventès – an album of music celebrating female Iranian composers. The Callisto Quartet has premiered new works by Korine Fujiwara and Ching-Chu Hu at Chamber Music Columbus, Nathaniel Heyder and Saad Haddad at the Caramoor Center, and Annika Socolofsky and Brett Dean at the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival. The Callisto Quartet has the great pleasure of performing alongside many of classical music’s eminent artists, including Misha Amory, Ettore Causa, Frank Cohen, Desmond Hoebig, Nina Lee, Avri Levitan, Tai Murray, Tara O’Connor, Lawrence Power, Miguel da Silva, David Shifrin, Gilles Vonsattel, and Paul Watkins.

As dedicated educators, the Callisto Quartet has taught masterclasses at universities including Rice University, Cleveland Institute of Music, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Washington, and the University of California Santa Barbara, among others. The Callisto Quartet serves as returning faculty at summer festivals including the Bravo Workshop, Hudson Montessori Conservatory Chamber Music Intensive, and Rocky Ridge Music, where Callisto serves as Faculty Quartet in Residence. From 2022-2024, the Callisto Quartet taught The Performance of Chamber Music at Yale University, and they currently serve as Associated Faculty at Chamber Music Connection in Columbus, Ohio.

The Callisto Quartet formed in 2016 as undergraduate students at the Cleveland Institute of Music. The quartet has since held residencies at Rice University, Yale University, the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia, the Stauffer Center, and the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. The quartet was inspired by the symmetry between Jupiter’s four major moons and the four members of a string quartet, borrowing the name Callisto from Jupiter’s most stable and hospitable moon.

“Thalea never failed to deliver a stirring performance” – Calgary Herald

The Thalea String Quartet brings their signature vibrancy and emotional commitment to dynamic performances that reflect the past, present, and future of the string quartet repertoire while celebrating diverse musical traditions from around the world. Fueled by the belief that chamber music is a powerful force for building community and human connection, the Thalea String Quartet has performed across North America, Europe, and China, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center, Massey Hall, and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. They have shared the stage with luminaries of the chamber music world, including members of the Emerson, Brentano, and St. Lawrence String Quartets, and they have performed alongside celebrated artists including Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw, violist Lawrence Power, acclaimed Canadian band BADBADNOTGOOD, Detroit hip hop icon Mahogany Jones, and visionary R+B artist Charlotte Day Wilson.

Committed to shaping and contributing to the future of the string quartet repertoire, the Thalea String Quartet has premiered dozens of new works and has collaborated on new commissions with composers including Osvaldo Golijov, Paola Prestini, Anthony R. Green, Akshaya Avril Tucker, and Tanner Porter.

Winners of the 2021 Ann Divine Educator Award from the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the members of the Thalea String Quartet have been celebrated for their innovative approach to education and community engagement. The Thalea String Quartet has presented masterclasses and workshops at institutions across North America, including the Berkelee College of Music, the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, and San Francisco State University. They have presented lectures and led discussions at institutions including the University of Maryland, Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, and Wayne State Medical School in Detroit, where they presented a workshop on non-verbal communication to first-year medical students alongside the Emerson String Quartet. Committed to youth mentorship and community music education, the Thalea String Quartet serve as teaching artists for Washington Performing Arts. The ensemble served as faculty and artistic advisors for the inaugural 2023 Fischoff Summer Chamber Music Intensive. Pioneers of virtual educational programming, the Thalea String Quartet has developed a variety of digital content, including two digital video series for students of all ages and the CHAMPS Virtual Chamber Music Seminar, which brought together students from across North America for an eight-week intensive study of the music of Florence B. Price, Joseph Haydn, and Antonín Dvořák.

The Thalea String Quartet served as the Doctoral Fellowship String Quartet at the University of Maryland from 2020-2023. The quartet has also held fellowship positions at the University of Texas at Austin and the San Francisco Conservatory. They served as Associated Artists at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo, Belgium for the 2019-20 season, and were the 2019-20 Ernst Stiefel Quartet-in-Residence at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. They were the 2022 and 2023 resident ensemble at the Lakes Area Music Festival and were the 2023 visiting artists at the Garth Newel Music Center. The Thalea String Quartet were top prize winners at the 2018 Fischoff Competition and 2018 Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition.

Christopher Whitley (violin) is from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Kumiko Sakamoto (violin) is from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada; Lauren Spaulding (viola) is from San Antonio, Texas; and Peter Jangwoo Eom (replacing Alex Cox, cello) is from Gilbert, Arizona.

Christopher and Kumiko perform on instruments generously on loan from the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank. Christopher performs on a 1900 Stefano Scarampella violin and Kumiko performs on an 1820 Joannes Franciscus Pressenda violin.

« Thalea n’a jamais manqué de livrer une interprétation émouvante » – Calgary Herald

Le Quatuor à cordes Thalea apporte son dynamisme et son engagement émotionnel caractéristiques à des concerts dynamiques qui reflètent le passé, le présent et l’avenir du répertoire pour quatuor à cordes, tout en célébrant les diverses traditions musicales du monde entier. Animé par la conviction que la musique de chambre est un puissant vecteur de cohésion sociale et de liens humains, le Quatuor à cordes Thalea s’est produit en Amérique du Nord, en Europe et en Chine, et s’est produit au Kennedy Center, au Massey Hall et au Weill Hall du Carnegie Hall. Il a partagé la scène avec des grands noms de la musique de chambre, notamment les membres des quatuors à cordes Emerson, Brentano et St. Lawrence, et s’est produit aux côtés d’artistes célèbres tels que la compositrice Caroline Shaw, lauréate du prix Pulitzer, l’altiste Lawrence Power, le groupe canadien acclamé BADBADNOTGOOD, la légende du hip-hop de Detroit Mahogany Jones et l’artiste R&B visionnaire Charlotte Day Wilson.

Engagé à façonner et à contribuer à l’avenir du répertoire pour quatuor à cordes, le Quatuor à cordes Thalea a créé des dizaines de nouvelles œuvres et a collaboré à de nouvelles commandes avec des compositeurs tels qu’Osvaldo Golijov, Paola Prestini, Anthony R. Green, Akshaya Avril Tucker et Tanner Porter.

Lauréats du Ann Divine Educator Award 2021 du Concours national de musique de chambre Fischoff, les membres du Quatuor à cordes Thalea sont reconnus pour leur approche innovante de l’éducation et de l’engagement communautaire. Le Quatuor à cordes Thalea a présenté des classes de maître et des ateliers dans des institutions à travers l’Amérique du Nord, notamment au Berkelee College of Music, à la Frost School of Music de l’Université de Miami et à la San Francisco State University. Ils ont donné des conférences et dirigé des discussions dans des institutions telles que l’université du Maryland, l’université Dalhousie en Nouvelle-Écosse et la Wayne State Medical School à Detroit, où ils ont animé un atelier sur la communication non verbale à l’intention des étudiants en première année de médecine, en collaboration avec le Quatuor à cordes Emerson. Engagé dans le mentorat des jeunes et l’éducation musicale communautaire, le Quatuor à cordes Thalea a été artiste-enseignant pour Washington Performing Arts de 2022 à 2024. L’ensemble a été membre du corps enseignant et conseiller artistique pour la première édition du Fischoff Summer Chamber Music Intensive en 2023.

Le Quatuor à cordes Thalea a été le Quatuor à cordes Stewart en résidence à l’Université de Toronto pour l’année universitaire 2024‑2025. Il a été le Quatuor à cordes boursier doctoral de l’Université du Maryland de 2020 à 2023 et a occupé des postes de boursiers à l’Université du Texas à Austin et au Conservatoire de San Francisco. Il a été artiste associé à la Chapelle musicale Reine Élisabeth à Waterloo, en Belgique, pour la saison 2019‑2020, et quatuor en résidence Ernst Stiefel au Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts pour la saison 2019‑2020. Il est l’ensemble résident du Lakes Area Music Festival et a été artiste invité au Garth Newel Music Center en 2023. Le Quatuor à cordes Thalea a remporté le premier prix du Concours Fischoff 2018 et du Concours de musique de chambre Yellow Springs 2018.

Christopher Whitley (violon) est originaire de Toronto, en Ontario (Canada), Kumiko Sakamoto (violon) est originaire de Medicine Hat, en Alberta (Canada), Lauren Spaulding (alto) est originaire de San Antonio, au Texas (États-Unis), et Peter Jangwoo Eom (qui remplace Alex Cox, violoncelle) est originaire de Gilbert, en Arizona (États-Unis).

Christopher et Kumiko jouent sur des instruments généreusement prêtés par la Banque d’instruments de musique du Conseil des Arts du Canada. Christopher joue sur un violon Stefano Scarampella de 1900 et Kumiko sur un violon Joannes Franciscus Pressenda de 1820.

The Amir Amiri Ensemble is an ensemble of virtuoso musicians from the Persian tradition: Amir Amiri (santur), Abdul-Wahab Kayyali (oud), Reza Abaee (ghaychak), Omar Abu Afech (Viola), and Hamin Honari (percussion). Inspired by the diversity and fluidity of the many musical influences of Iran, the Amir Amiri Quartet creates an engaging and distinctive sound fusing the refinement of traditional and spiritual Persian music with folkloric and modern elements. In seeking to expand the boundaries of these musical traditions, balancing heritage and innovation, they find that the possibilities are limitless. In the eclectic musical universe of Amir Amiri Ensemble, borders are abolished to make way for bewitching alchemy, a mystical conversation between these kindred-spirit musicians. 

Joueur de santour, compositeur et inventeur culturel, Amir Amiri vit au centre d’un univers musical unique où se rencontrent inspiration ancienne, virtuosité éblouissante et créativité audacieuse. S’entourant de collaborateurs exceptionnels issus des mondes du jazz, de la musique classique et de la musique mondiale, Amiri transcende sans crainte les genres et les frontières, transportant de manière exquise son instrument ancien dans les conversations musicales de notre époque.

L’Ensemble Amir Amiri est un groupe de musiciens virtuoses issus de la tradition persane : Amir Amiri (santour), Abdul-Wahab Kayyali (oud), Reza Abaee (gheychak), Omar Abu Afech (alto) et Hamin Honari (percussions). Inspiré par la diversité et la fluidité des nombreuses influences musicales de l’Iran, l’ensemble Amir Amiri crée un son engageant et distinctif qui fusionne le raffinement de la musique persane traditionnelle et spirituelle avec des éléments folkloriques et modernes. En cherchant à repousser les limites de ces traditions musicales, en équilibrant l’héritage et l’innovation, ils découvrent que les possibilités sont illimitées. Dans l’univers musical éclectique de l’Ensemble Amir Amiri, les frontières sont abolies pour faire place à une alchimie envoûtante – une conversation mystique entre ces musiciens à l’esprit bienveillant.

Visit Amir Amiri Ensemble’s Media Resources page to see more performance videos, read interviews, and more!

Keith Hamm

Keith Hamm, viola, is a native of Rosebud, Alberta. He received his training at the Glenn Gould School of Music under the instruction of Steven Dann, and at the Mount Royal Conservatory with Nicholas Pulos. While still a student, Keith was named Principal Violist of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra and performed there for eight seasons. In the fall of 2019, Keith took up that same position with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

A dedicated chamber musician, Keith has been invited to perform at the Ravinia Festival as guest violist with the Royal Conservatory’s Grammy-nominated ARC Ensemble, Toronto Summer Music Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, Stratford Summer Music, Sweetwater Music Festival, and Music By The Sea in Bamfield, BC. Keith has performed as a guest artist with the Juno-winning Amici Ensemble, and frequently performs with Continuum Contemporary Music, Skylight Series in Toronto’s Distillery District, Echo Chamber Toronto, and Stereo Live as performer and producer. Keith is Founder and Artistic Director of the Rosebud Chamber Music Festival in Rosebud, Alberta, and is the co-founder and violist of the Rosebud String Quartet. From 2000 – 2003, Keith was the fiddler for the Calgary Flames.

Keith is an alumnus of the International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove, the Sarasota Music Festival, and programs at the Banff Centre. Keith has been featured on CBC Radio, Toronto’s Classical 96.3, Minnesota Public Radio, and has been named one of Canada’s Hottest 30 Classical Musicians Under 30 by CBC.

Julie Hereish

Julie Hereish, cello, pursued her studies in her hometown, Montreal and then in Vienna, Austria. In the Fall of 2019, she joined the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra as Assistant Principal Cello. Previously, she held the same position in the Québec Symphony Orchestra. During her time in Québec City, she co-founded the piano quartet Quatuor Philanthros and the cello octet Élément 8. She is now a member of the High Level Trio, which she founded with two friends and colleagues of the ESO, Ewald Cheung and Ethan Filner. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she co-founded The New Cohort with husband and violist, Keith Hamm. Her chamber music performances have taken her across Canada, where she’s toured with Debut Atlantic and Jeunesses Musicales du Canada.

As a guest artist, Julie joined the Grammy Award winning ARC Ensemble in performance in Toronto. She has also performed with the Canadian Opera Company as guest continuo cellist. She has been featured on CBC Radio and Radio-Canada. Julie has performed throughout Europe and North America, and has appeared extensively with the chamber orchestra Violons du Roy in Québec City. Together with actor Pierre Mayer, Julie created Charlot et Mlle Cello, a theatrical concert experience for children based on Charlie Chaplin’s famous character.

Fondé dans les premiers jours de la pandémie de la COVID-19, The New Cohort a été formé par Keith Hamm et Julie Hereish pour explorer les possibilités de la musique de chambre pendant le confinement à la maison. Une plongée en profondeur dans le répertoire pour alto et violoncelle a conduit à de nombreux engagements de spectacles en ligne et en plein air. Parmi les événements de diffusion en direct, citons les concerts de la série Stage to Screen (Du théâtre à l’écran) de l’Orchestre symphonique d’Edmonton, Doors Open for Music at Southminster (Portes ouvertes pour la musique à Southminster) à Ottawa, The Homestage Tour (Tournée sur scène à domicile) pour le Rosebud Theatre, et la série de concerts Xenia. The New Cohort a également participé à des festivals à travers le Canada, dont le Festival de musique de chambre Rosebud et le Festival de musique Sweetwater. 

Keith Hamm 

Keith Hamm, alto, est originaire de Rosebud, en Alberta. Il a reçu sa formation à l’École de musique Glenn Gould sous la direction de Steven Dann, et au Conservatoire de Mount Royal avec Nicholas Pulos. Alors qu’il était encore étudiant, Keith a été nommé altiste principal de l’orchestre de la Compagnie d’opéra canadienne et a joué pendant huit saisons. À l’automne 2019, Keith a accepté ce même poste au sein de l’Orchestre symphonique d’Edmonton. 

Musicien de chambre dévoué, Keith a joué au Festival Ravinia en tant qu’altiste invité avec l’Ensemble ARC du Royal Conservatory, qui a été nommé pour des prix Grammy, au Festival de musique d’été de Toronto, au Ottawa Chamberfest, au Stratford Summer Music, au festival de musique Sweetwater et au Music By The Sea de Bamfield, en Colombie-Britannique. Keith a joué en tant qu’artiste invité avec l’Ensemble Amici, lauréat d’un prix Juno, et se produit fréquemment avec l’Ensemble de musique contemporaine Continuum, dans les séries de concerts Skylight dans le Distillery District de Toronto, Echo Chamber Toronto, et Stereo Live en tant qu’interprète et producteur. Keith est le fondateur et le directeur artistique du Festival de musique de chambre Rosebud à Rosebud, en Alberta. Il est également cofondateur et altiste du quatuor à cordes Rosebud. De 2000 à 2003, Keith a été le violoneux pour les Flames de Calgary.  

Keith est un ancien élève du Séminaire international des musiciens de Prussia Cove, du Festival de musique de Sarasota et des programmes du Centre Banff. Keith a été invité à la radio de la CBC, à l’émission Classical 96.3 de Toronto et à la radio publique du Minnesota, et a été nommé l’un des 30 musiciens classiques canadiens de moins de 30 ans par la CBC. 

Julie Hereish 

Julie Hereish, violoncelle, a poursuivi ses études dans sa ville natale, Montréal, puis à Vienne, en Autriche. À l’automne 2019, elle s’est jointe à l’Orchestre symphonique d’Edmonton à titre d’assistante violoncelle solo. Auparavant, elle occupait ce même poste au sein de l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec. Pendant son séjour à Québec, elle a cofondé le quatuor de piano Quatuor Philanthros et l’octuor de violoncelles Élément 8. Elle est maintenant membre du High Level Trio, qu’elle a fondé avec deux amis et collègues de l’Orchestre symphonique d’Edmonton, Ewald Cheung et Ethan Filner. Au début de la pandémie de la COVID-19, elle a cofondé The New Cohort avec son mari et altiste, Keith Hamm. Ses concerts de musique de chambre l’ont amenée à parcourir le Canada, où elle a effectué une tournée avec Début Atlantique et Jeunesses Musicales du Canada. 

En tant qu’artiste invitée, Julie a rejoint l’Ensemble ARC, lauréat d’un prix Grammy, en spectacle à Toronto. Elle a également rempli le rôle de basse continue en tant que violoncelliste invitée avec la Compagnie d’opéra canadienne. Elle a joué à la radio de la CBC et de Radio-Canada. Julie a donné des concerts dans toute l’Europe et l’Amérique du Nord, et a souvent participé avec l’orchestre de chambre Les Violons du Roy à Québec. Avec le comédien Pierre Mayer, Julie a créé Charlot et Mlle Cello, une expérience de concert théâtral pour enfants basée sur le célèbre personnage de Charlie Chaplin. 

The Thalea String Quartet is dedicated to bringing timeless music to audiences from all walks of life. From living rooms to concert stages around the world, the Thalea String Quartet aims to connect with audiences on a musical, emotional, and personal level, from first-time listeners to string quartet aficionados. They are devoted to building a new and diverse audience for chamber music through innovative programming and community engagement.  

Formed in 2014 at the Zephyr International Chamber Music Festival in Courmayeur, Italy, the Thalea String Quartet has been praised for their “vibrant performance” and “sincere expressivity” (SF Classical Voice). The quartet has performed recitals across Europe, China, the United States, and Canada, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center, Massey Hall, and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. They were recently named the Doctoral Fellowship String Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Maryland, and have held fellowship positions at the University of Texas at Austin under the Miró Quartet, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. They currently serve as Associated Artists at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo, Belgium.  

The Thalea String Quartet were top prize winners at both the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the 2018 Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition, and were named the Ernst Stiefel Quartet-in-Residence at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts for the 2019/20 season.  

The Thalea String Quartet prides itself on the diversity of its collaborations. They have shared the stage with members of the St. Lawrence, Emerson, Alban Berg, and Borromeo quartets, and have performed alongside Lawrence Power, Gilbert Kalish, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. Committed to collaborating with artists of all backgrounds, the Thalea String Quartet has collaborated with San Francisco-based dance theatre company the Joe Goode Performance Group, premiered a new work by Detroit-based spoken word artist Mohogany Jones, and appeared with acclaimed Canadian band BADBADNOTGOOD at the iconic Massey Hall.  

The members of the Thalea String Quartet are dedicated educators and bring their commitment to teaching and community engagement to their frequent educational and community performances. They have performed educational concerts to students of all ages and regularly perform at care facilities and schools across the United States.  

Christopher Whitley (violin) is originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Kumiko Sakamoto (violin) is from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada; Luis Bellorín (viola) is from Naperville, Illinois, and Titilayo Ayangade (cello) is from Cincinnati, Ohio. Christopher performs on the 1700 “Taft” Stradivari, generously on loan by the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank.  

The Thalea String Quartet is a fiscally-sponsored affiliate of InterMusic SF, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to small-ensemble music in the San Francisco Bay Area.  

Represented in North America by Lisa Sapinkopf Artists  

« Thalea n’a jamais manqué de présenter un spectacle émouvant. » -Calgary Herald.  

Le Quatuor à cordes Thalea se consacre à présenter de la musique intemporelle à des publics de tous les horizons. Que ce soient des concerts présentés dans des salons intimes ou dans des salles de spectacles du monde entier, le Quatuor à cordes Thalea veut rejoindre son public sur le plan musical, émotionnel et personnel, autant ceux qui les entendent pour la première fois que les aficionados de quatuors à cordes. Ils se consacrent à bâtir un nouveau public diversifié pour la musique de chambre au moyen d’une programmation novatrice et d’un engagement communautaire. 

Formé en 2014 lors du Festival international de musique de chambre Zephyr à Courmayeur en Italie, le Quatuor à cordes Thalea a été salué pour son « interprétation animée » et « son expression sincère » (SF Classical Voice). Le quatuor a présenté des récitals en Europe, en Chine, aux États-Unis et au Canada, et a donné des spectacles au Kennedy Center, à Massey Hall et dans la salle Weill du Carnegie Hall. Ils ont été récompensés récemment d’une bourse doctorale pour Quatuor à Cordes en résidence de l’Université du Maryland et ont été offert les postes de boursiers à l’Université du Texas à Austin sous le Quatuor Miró et au Conservatoire de musique de San Francisco. Ils sont présentement Artistes associés à la Chapelle musicale reine Élizabeth à Waterloo en Belgique. 

Le Quatuor à cordes Thalea a remporté les honneurs au Concours national de musique de chambre Fischoff en 2018 et le Concours de musique de chambre de Yellow Springs, également en 2018, et ont été nommés Quatuor Ernst Stiefel en résidence au Centre Caramoor pour les arts et la musique pendant la saison 2019-2020. 

Le Quatuor à cordes Thalea est fier de la diversité de ses collaborations. Il a partagé la scène avec les membres des quatuors St. Lawrence, Emerson, Alan Berg et Borromeo et a joué avec Lawrence Power, Gilbert Kalish, and la compositrice Caroline Shaw qui est récipiendaire d’un prix Pulitzer. Le Quatuor à cordes Thalea s’est engagé à collaborer avec des artistes de toutes origines. Ses membres ont travaillé avec la compagnie de danse-théâtre Joe Goode Performance Group de San Francisco, ils ont participé à la première d’une nouvelle œuvre de l’artiste de création orale Mohogany Jones qui est originaire de Detroit et se sont produits avec l’orchestre canadien de renom BADBADNOTGOOD au fameux Massey Hall.  

Les membres du Quatuor à cordes Thalea sont des éducateurs dévoués et partagent leur engagement à l’enseignement et à la communauté lors de leurs nombreuses présentations éducatives et communautaires. Ils ont présenté des concerts éducationnels à des élèves de tous âges et jouent régulièrement aux foyers de soins et aux écoles partout aux États-Unis. 

Christopher Whitley (violon) est originaire de Toronto, Ontario, Kumiko Sakamoto (violon) vient de Medicine Hat, Alberta, Luis Bellorin (alto) est de Naperville, Illinois et Titilayo Ayangade (violoncelle) est de Cincinnati, Ohio. Christopher joue avec le violon Stradivarius Taft (v. 1700), qui lui est généreusement prêté par la Banque d’instruments de musique du Conseil des arts du Canada. 

Le Quatuor à cordes Thalea est parrainé par InterMusic SF, un organisme sans but lucratif consacré à la musique pour petits ensembles de la région de San Francisco Bay. 

Ils sont représentés en Amérique du Nord par Lisa Sapinkopf Artists. 

-VISIT THE THALEA QUARTET’S EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT PAGE –

Luri Lee, violin

Emily Kruspe violin

Hezekiah Leung, viola

Jonathan Lo, cello

ROLSTON STRING QUARTET

The 2018 recipient and first international ensemble chosen for the prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award from Chamber Music America, Canada’s Rolston String Quartet continue to receive acclamation and recognition for their musical excellence. In 2016, a monumental year, they earn First Prize win at the 12th Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC). In that same year, the quartet’s winning included Astral’s National Auditions and Grand Prize of the 31st Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition. They were also prizewinners at the 2016 Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition and the inaugural M-Prize competition. There is no wonder they were named among CBC Radio’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30” in 2016.

On the heels of their Banff win, Rolston String Quartet immediately embarked upon the BISQC Winner’s Tour, taking them to Germany, Italy, Austria, Canada, and United States. As Ludwig van Toronto states, “they performed with a maturity and cohesion rivaling the best string quartets in the world.” In the 2017-18 season, they tip the 100-concert milestone with performances throughout Canada, United States, Germany, Brussels, Italy, and Israel. Highlights included the Smithsonian, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Koerner Hall, and the Esterhazy Palace. The 2018-19 season highlights include debut performances at Carnegie Hall, Freer Gallery, Wigmore Hall, Chamber Music Houston, two major tours in Canada under the Prairie Debut and Debut Atlantic touring networks, and three European tours with dates in Leipzig, Berlin, Lucerne, Heidelberg, Barcelona, Graz, and other centres.

Rolston String Quartet began their two-year term as the Yale School of Music’s fellowship quartet-in-residence in the fall of 2017. They have also served as the graduate quartet-in-residence at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and have participated in residencies and fellowships at the Académie musicale de Villecroze, Aspen Music Festival, Banff Centre, McGill International String Quartet Academy, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Robert Mann String Quartet Institute, St. Lawrence String Quartet Seminar, and the Yehudi Menuhin Chamber Music Festival.

Notable collaborations include performances with renowned artists Andrés Díaz, Gilbert Kalish, Mark Morris, Arthur Rowe, Robert McDonald, Donald Palma, Jon Kimura Parker, and Miguel da Silva. Additionally, they have worked with songwriter Kishi Bashi and composers John Luther Adams and Brian Current. Primary mentors include the Brentano Quartet, James Dunham, Norman Fischer, and Kenneth Goldsmith, and the quartet has received additional guidance from the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Barry Shiffman, Miguel da Silva, and Alastair Tait.

The Rolston String Quartet – Luri Lee (violin), Hezekiah Leung (viola), Jonathan Lo (cello), and new member as of spring 2018 Emily Kruspe (violin) – was formed in the summer of 2013 at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity’s Chamber Music Residency. They take their name from Canadian violinist Thomas Rolston, founder and long-time director of the Music and Sound Programs at the Banff Centre.

Luri Lee plays a Carlo Tononi violin, generously on loan from Shauna Rolston Shaw. Rolston String Quartet is endorsed by Jargar Strings of Denmark.

– VISIT THE ROLSTON STRING QUARTET’S EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT PAGE, and MORE PERFORMANCE VIDEOS – 

Rolston String Quartet Bio en français ici

TOUR DATES: September 16 – October 2, 2016

BIOGRAPHY:

Three of Canada’s most acclaimed chamber musicians, clarinetist Jean-Francois Normand, violist Marina Thibeault and pianist Philip Chiu, gather in this unique and compelling formation to form Trio Canoë The trio’s outstanding programs have been curated to highlight the poetic, intimate, and mysterious nature of their instruments – in solo, duo, and trio form – to deliver an incomparable experience. Complementing the warm and melancholic colours of the existing repertoire, Trio Canoë reveals their fiery and passionate personalities with original transcriptions; including Piazzolla’s ‘Four Seasons of Buenos Aires’. The trio is strongly committed to engaging new audiences, and bringing classical music to those with limited access. Each member has had the opportunity to work with incredible organizations, including El Sistema, La Société pour les arts en milieux de santé,
and ArtStarts.

Jean-François Normand, clarinet

A much sought-after performer on the Canadian music scene, Jean-François Normand is currently clarinet teacher at the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal and McGill University in addition to the Domaine Forget Music Academy. Mr. Normand holds degrees from both University of Montreal and the Juilliard School of Music. Mr. Normand has already appeared as a soloist with several orchestras, including the Montreal, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Toronto, Texarkanas Symphony Orchestras and the Montreal Metropolitan Orchestra. His interpretation of the Mozart Concerto has been praised by the press: “completely natural playing, flawless technique, supple phrasing, beautiful and controlled tone quality, intonation, style, and imaginative use of improvised ornamentation” (Claude Gingras, La Presse). He performed this same concerto in 2005 with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra in Bratislava where it was broadcast to over 16 European countries. He is also frequently heard on Radio-Canada/CBC. In 2010, Jean-François Normand entered the world of historical performance on period instruments. He recorded a CD for Atma dedicated to the French composer Mehul, along with oboist Washington McClain and bassoonist Mathieu Lussier. His next concerts will take him to Toronto where he will be joining Tafelmusik for a series of concerts in May.

Marina Thibeault, viola

Marina Thibeault, born in 1989, from Québec City graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music where she studied with both Roberto Díaz, and Michael Tree. Afterwards, she studied abroad with Bruno Giuranna at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the swiss government. Marina is currently finishing her Master’s Degree with André Roy at the McGill University in Montréal.  Marina has performed as a soloist with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Marienbad Orchestra, North Czech Philharmonic, and the Západočeský Symphony Orchestra. Marina was a 2007 winner of “CBC Young Artist”, She was also a 2008 prize-winner at Hradec’s Beethoven International Music Competition in the Czech Republic, after which she gave a recital tour in Prague and Teplice, during the Music Festival Ludwig van Beethoven. Marina is the winner of the 2015 McGill Concerto Competition and will perform the Schnittke Concerto with MGSO next season. In 2012, Marina made her debut in Paris at the Centre Culturel Canadien.  Marina joined the Parcival Project in 2013. The ensemble has performed at Halifax’s Scotia Fest and Toronto’s ROM and Mooredales concerts. En September 2014, the group went on tour to South America; Argentina, Chili and Bresil. Inspired by El systema, the Parcival Project gave masterclasses and workshops for social actions in music. In November 2014, Marina toured around Quebec and Ontario for Les Jeunesses Musicales du Canada with the recital; White Nights in Russia. Marina is also a Hatha Yoga teacher. She teaches at the Sivananda Yoga Center in Montreal and gives workshops and conferences on yoga for musicians.

Philip Chiu, pianist

More than a summation of technical and musical abilities, pianist Philip Chiu has become one of Canada’s leading musicians through his infectious love of music and his passion for communication and collaboration. Lauded for the brilliance, colour and sensitivity of his playing, he is particularly noted for his ability to connect with audiences on and off-stage. An exceedingly sociable pianist, Philip concertizes extensively as one of Canada’s most sought-after chamber musicians. He has appeared in recitals with leading musicians of the world stage, including James Ehnes, Raphael Wallfisch, Patrice Fontanarosa, Regis Pasquier, Matt Haimovitz, Radovan Vlatkovic, Stefan Dohr, Philippe Bernold, Alex Klein, and Eugene Isotov. He performs regularly with principal members of Canada’s leading orchestras and ensembles, including Toronto Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Jonathan Crow, l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal concertmaster Andrew Wan, and Pascale Giguere of Les Violons du Roy. Along with pianist Janelle Fung, he forms one of Canada’s most exciting piano duos, the Fung-Chiu Duo. He has toured numerous times with premier touring organizations, Jeunesses Musicales Canada, Prairie Debut, and Debut Atlantic, and will be touring again soon with Jeunesses Musicales (2014/2015, 2015/2016) and Prairie Debut (2014/15). Dedicated to elevating the standard and art of collaborative piano, Philip is the creator and director of the new Collaborative Piano Program at the Domaine Forget International Festival and Academy. He is an acclaimed accompanist¬/coach based at McGill University, has been an invited professor¬-accompanist for the Conservatoire de musique de Montreal, and regularly accompanies at l’Universite de Montreal. He travels regularly across Canada and the U.S. to accompany for national and international competitions. Philip is extremely grateful for the support of the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts and Jeunesses Musicales in his various pursuits. He can be heard/seen on Classical 96.3 FM, Australia’s ABC Radio, CBC Radio, and Radio Canada.

“… a pianist-painter who turns every musical idea into a beautiful array of colors.” La Presse
“Pianist Philip Chiu played with striking precision and subtle poetry.” The Gazette (Montréal)

TOUR DATES: March 12 – 24, 2016

BIOGRAPHY:

Profiled by CBC Q, The National, Discovery Channel, and the Toronto Star (“one of the most attention-grabbing concerts of the year”), the Afiara Quartet, an ensemble for the 21st century, is a string quartet defined by its pursuit of beauty, meaning, and growth as musicians and ambassadors for its genre.

Comprised of Valerie Li, first violin; Timothy Kantor, violin; Eric Wong, viola and Adrian Fung, cello, the Afiara Quartet is a dynamic and award-winning ensemble, described as “a revelation” (La Presse) with performances balancing “intensity and commitment” and “frequent moments of tenderness” (Montreal Gazette).  After residencies at The Juilliard School and San Francisco State University, the Afiara are currently Fellowship Quartet at the Royal Conservatory of Music. The ensemble is winner of the Young Canadian Musicians Award, Concert Artist Guild, Munich ARD, and Banff International String Quartet Competitions, including the latter’s Szekely Prize for the best interpretation of Beethoven. The Afiara has performed throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia, at such venues as Carnegie Hall’s Zankel and Weill Halls, the Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Library of Congress in DC, Sao Paulo’s Museum of Modern Art, Pro Musica of San Miguel de Allende, London’s Wigmore Hall, Austria’s Esterhazy Palace, Munich’s Prinz Regenten Theatre, Amsterdam’s Muziekgebouw, and the Royal Library in Copenhagen. Their journey is documented in over 30 commissions of new music, new educational outreach initiatives for school children funded by the Ontario Arts Council, and projects with jazz virtuoso Uri Caine, Latin Grammy Award-winning producer Javier Limon, and innovative scratch DJ, Kid Koala.

As Executive Producers, the Afiara Quartet’s latest project, “Spin Cycle”, is a ground-breaking process that begins with four Canadian commissions by composers Kevin Lau, Laura Silberberg, Rob Teehan, and Dinuk Wijeratne, which is then remixed by renowned DJ Skratch Bastid. The composers then compose to the remixes by writing quartet parts in response, creating an authentic and fully collaborative dialogue, with all three stages stand-alone works in their own right. Classicaliszt writes: “Like a tornado cutting a swath of chaos across cornfields and farmlands, Spin Cycle (Centrediscs) is knocking down those musical silos that once contained and kept classical music and hip hop at more than arms length from each other, and allows conversations across a musical void that I never expected to hear filled in.”

Touring from October 18th to November 3rd, 2013

Caitlin Boyle, viola
Rachel Desoer, cello
Min-Jeong Koh, violin
Sarah Nematallah, violin

Taking their name from St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music, the Cecilia String Quartet (CSQ) continues to win praise following their First Prize at the 2010 Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC). “With a stunning spirit of creativity that consistently celebrated risk-taking and discovery, the Cecilia Quartet impressed the distinguished jury above all others,” said the competition’s Executive Director, Barry Shiffman, when announcing the winners.

Formed while its members were students at the University of Toronto, the CSQ is a former prize-winner at competitions in Bordeaux (2010) and Osaka (2008). European tours have taken the four artists to the Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal (Amsterdam), Beethoven-Haus (Bonn), as well as venues in Italy and Belgium. Their concert recordings have been broadcast on more than a dozen international public radio networks.

Highly committed to education and community engagement, the CSQ have held teaching positions at the Austin Chamber Music Festival (Texas), San Diego State University (California), McGill University (Québec), QuartetFest at Wilfrid Laurier University (Ontario), and the Indiana Summer String Academy. They have presented educational programs for elementary and high schools across Canada, the USA, Italy, and France. The CSQ is currently Ensemble in Residence at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, a position that has been made possible by a generous gift from BMO Financial Group.

Min-Jeong Koh plays on the ca. 1767 Joannes Baptista Guadagnini violin and Sarah Nematallah plays on the 1851 Jean Baptiste Vuillaume violin, both on loan from anonymous donors. Rachel Desoer recently won the use of the 1929 Carlo Giuseppe Oddone cello from the Canada Council for the Arts. The quartet would like to thank the donors and the Canada Council for the Arts for their generous support.

En tournée du 18 octobre au 3 novembre, 2013

Caitlin Boyle, viole
Rachel Desoer, violoncelle
Min-Jeong Koh, violon
Sarah Nematallah, violon

Arborant le nom de Sainte Cécile, sainte patronne de la musique, le quatuor à cordes Cecilia String Quartet (CSQ) continue d’accroitre sa renommée suite à sa victoire du premier prix en 2010 lors du concours international des quatuors à cordes de Banff (BISQC). “Grâce à un étonnant esprit de créativité qui célèbre avec constance le risque et la découverte, le quatuor Cécilia a impressionné l’éminent jury parmi tant d’autres” a dit Barry Shiffman, directeur général du concours, à l’annonce des gagnants.

Formé alors que ces membres étaient étudiants à l’université de Toronto, le CSQ est un lauréat des concours de Bordeaux (2010) et d’Osaka (2008). Les tournées européennes ont emmené les quatre artistes au Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal (Amsterdam), Beethoven-Haus (Bonn), ainsi qu’à des sites en Italie et en Belgique. Les enregistrements de leurs concerts ont été diffusés sur plus d’une demi-douzaine de réseaux de radios publiques.

Extrêmement engagé envers l’éducation et la communauté, le CSQ a tenu des postes d’enseignement au festival de musique de chambre d’Austin (Texas), à l’Université de San Diego State (Californie), à l’Université McGill (Québec), au « QuartetFest » à l’université de Wilfrid Laurier (Ontario), et à l’académie de l’ « Indiana Summer String Academy ». Les membres ont présenté des programmes éducatifs aux écoles élémentaires et secondaires partout au Canada, aux États-Unis, en Italie et en France. Le CSQ est actuellement Ensemble en Résidence de la faculté de musique de l’Université de Toronto, une position qui a été possible grâce à un don généreux du Groupe BMO Financial.

Min-Jeong Koh joue le violon de Joannes Baptista Guadagnini datant de 1767 et Sarah Nematallah joue sur le violon Jean Baptiste Vuillaume de 1851, tous deux sont des prêts de donateurs anonymes. Rachel Desoer a récemment gagné, auprès du Conseil des arts du Canada,  le droit d’utilisation du violoncelle de Carlo Giuseppe Oddone de 1929. Le quatuor souhaite remercier ces donateurs et le Conseil des arts du Canada pour leur généreux soutien.