Finalists and prizewinners of the 2016 Bordeaux International Competition in France, the Omer Quartet was named the 2013 Grand Prize and Gold Medal Winner of the 40th Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. They are comprised of Yu and Erica Tursi, violin; Jinsun Hong, viola; and Alex Cox, cello. Praised by U-T San Diego for playing with a “sense of discovery and adventure, but also with considerable finesse,” they have performed across North America and Europe. The quartet is currently the resident ensemble of the New England Conservatory’s Professional Quartet Training Program directed by Paul Katz.
Established at the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2009, they have performed in venues such as Jordan Hall, Preston Bradley Hall in Chicago’s Cultural Center, Pollack Hall in Montreal, the Rolston Recital Hall at the Banff Centre, and several historic landmarks in Northern Italy. They have appeared on the WFMT radio network and the Aspen Public Radio. The quartet has collaborated and performed with internationally renowned artists such as Cho-Liang Lin, the Assad Brothers, the Borromeo String Quartet and Lois Shapiro. In 2011, they were invited by the Banff Centre to give a world premiere of Bob Becker’s Preludes for percussion and string quartet. Most recently, they were invited to compete in the 2016 Banff International String Quartet Competition, and have also participated in the McGill International String Quartet Academy, the Ravinia Steans Institute, and the Perlman Music Program.
Committed to community education and advocates of civic engagement, the Omer Quartet devotes time to creating original and interactive programs. They recently completed a fellowship with Music for Food, a musician-led initiative directed by Kim Kashkashian for local hunger relief. As fellows, they were involved in the organization’s various educational projects, including leading assemblies and masterclasses for middle and high school music students. The quartet was Cleveland Chamber Music Society’s Quartet in Residence from 2012-2013, and has presented masterclasses across the country, including Midwest Young Artists, Valparaiso University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and ensemble workshops with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. They have recently partnered with New England Conservatory Preparatory School's chamber music department and will teach masterclasses and private coachings during this academic year.
Omer Quartet
