Meet Katarina String Quartet
Guest Artists
Jeanel Liang*, violin; Jérôme Chiasson*, violin; Celia Morin, viola; Maya Enstad, cello
*indicates Knesiel Hall alumni
Program Nine: August 28 & 30
Tell us a little bit about how and when your quartet formed and any early mentors.
Our quartet was formed in 2022 at McGill University, in Montreal, out of a shared love for chamber music and a desire to build something meaningful together. We were incredibly fortunate to be guided by André Roy, whose belief in us shaped our ensemble from the very beginning. He taught us that a string quartet is not only four voices blending together, but four people learning how to listen, challenge, support, and inspire one another.
How has the quartet changed over the years, either through members and/or artistically?
The four of us have remained together since the very beginning. Growing alongside one another over the past four years has been incredibly meaningful. A string quartet is like a family: you learn how to communicate honestly, navigate challenges, embrace differences, and share experiences both on and off the stage. We’ve learned how to turn our differences into strengths, valuing each person’s individuality while building an authentic and shared voice together. We always want our performances to create a sense of connection between ourselves, the music, and the people we share it with.
Who was your most influential mentor?
We feel very fortunate to have crossed paths with so many inspiring mentors throughout our journey so far. Every coach, conversation, and rehearsal has shaped us and impacted not only the way we play, but also the way we listen, communicate, and grow together. It would be impossible to name everyone who has influenced us, but some especially important figures along the way have been André Roy, Gerhard Schulz, Marc Danel, the Juilliard String Quartet, Merry Peckham, Jonathan Brown, Mathieu Herzog, and the Pacifica Quartet.
What is your favorite performance venue?
One of the most unforgettable places we’ve had the privilege of performing was Wigmore Hall in London, during the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition. The hall’s acoustics are really exceptional! That competition was also a turning point in our journey as a quartet. We learned so much about ourselves, both musically and personally, and it brought the four of us even closer. It also gave us the confidence to keep challenging ourselves, leading us to opportunities like the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, which we were honored to win last year, and now to the upcoming ARD International Music Competition in Munich.
Some of our most memorable performances have happened in community spaces, schools, hospitals, churches, and small halls where we could really connect with audiences. We always love inviting people to stick around after concerts to talk with us, share stories, and tell us what they felt while listening. These moments bring us energy and joy, and are a crucial part of our musical inspiration.
That’s one of the reasons we are especially excited to perform this summer at Kneisel Hall, our last concert before heading to Munich! Both Jeanel and Jérôme are Kneisel Hall alumni, and they know how special the Blue Hill community is. This festival helped shape the musicians they are today, and they are so excited to return to this paradise on Earth…and to eat the best lobster rolls!