NEC's Professional String Quartet Program is led by Paul Katz. The program is intended for existing string quartets who are selected by audition; it is not open to individuals. One quartet is selected for each two-year residency, so applications are typically accepted every two years.
The program provides intensive training and coaching for exceptional groups that show the talent and commitment necessary to pursue a concert career. The program comes will a full tuition scholarship and $10,000 stipend for each student, weekly coachings from Paul Katz plus weekly individual studio instruction from NEC strings faculty members, daily group rehearsal, and training in all aspects of musicianship and career development. Quartets perform a yearly recital in our world-renowned Jordan Hall and are contracted through NEC for outreach opportunities and performances at venues throughout New England.
Ready to apply? Please review the application process and contact Admissions with any questions.
Participants in the Program
Lineups named on this page represent how the quartets were constituted during their participation in NEC's Professional String Quartet program.
Balourdet Quartet
2020 – 2022
Angela Bae and Justin DeFilippis ’17, violin; Benjamin Zannoni, viola; Russell Houston, cello
second prize at the Carl Nielsen International Chamber Music Competition
2019 Aspen Music Festival Advanced String Quartet Studies program
Verona Quartet
2017 – 2020
Jonathan Ong and Dorothy Ro, violin; Abigail Rojansky, viola,; Jonathan Dormand '12 M.M., cello
Carnegie Hall debut (2017)
Musical America “New Artists of the Month” (May 2016)
second place, M-Prize International Chamber Arts Competition (2016)
winner, Concert Artists Guild Competition and Commissioning Prize (2015)
second prize (shared) and ProQuartet-CEMC Prize, Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition (2015)
third prize, Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition (2015)
third prize, 8th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition (2014, as Wasmuth String Quartet)
grand prize and audience choice, Chesapeake Chamber Music Competitions (2014, as Wasmuth)
grand prize, Coleman Chamber Music Competition (2013, as Wasmuth)
silver medal, senior division, Fischoff Chamber Music Competitions (2013, as Wasmuth)
Residency with the city of Danville, Ill. (2013–2015)
Cleveland Quartet Award from Chamber Music America (2009–2011)
launched Ligeti recording cycle with Naxos (2009)
second prize, Young Concert Artists International Auditions (2005)
winner, Concert Artists Guild Competition (2005)
grand prize and the Mozart prize, Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition (2005)
Jupiter String Quartet
2006
Nelson Lee and Meg Freivogel, violin; Liz Freivogel, viola; Daniel McDonough, cello
second Marquis release: Mendelssohn and Beethoven
debut CD release on Marquis: Shostakovich and Britten
Avery Fisher Career Grant (2008)
Cleveland Quartet Award from Chamber Music America (2007–2009)
first prize, Young Concert Artists International Auditions (2005)
grand prize, Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (2004)
first prize, Banff International String Quartet Competition (2004)
also winners of Jerome L. Greene Foundation Prize, the Paul A. Fish Memorial Prize, the Buffalo Chamber Music Society Prize, the La Jolla Music Society Prize, and the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Prize
Biava Quartet
2004
Austin Hartman and Hyunsu Ko, violin; Mary Persin, viola; Jacob Braun, cello
Austin Hartman joins Pacifica Quartet (2017)
Jacob Braun joins chamber music faculty of the Colburn School (2013)
Hyunsu Ko named concertmaster of Mercury Orchestra (2011)
fourth prize, Premio Paolo Borciani String Quartet Competition (2005)
third prize, the 9th Annual London International String Competition (2003)
first prize, Naumburg Chamber Music Competition (2003)
top prizes, 55th Annual Coleman National Chamber Music Competition (2003)
top prizes, Young Concert Artists International Auditions (2002, 2003)
top prizes, Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (2001)
Kuss Quartet
2002
Jana Kuss and Oliver Wille, violin; William Coleman, viola; Felix M. Nickel, cello
first prize, Deutschen Musikrat (2002)
first prize, Premio Paolo Borciani String Quartet Competition (2002)
