Arianna String Quartet, Quartet

Biography

Hailed for their outstanding musicianship, the Arianna String Quartet has firmly established itself as one of America's finest chamber ensembles. Their performances have been praised for “tonal warmth, fastidious balance…expressive vitality” (Chicago Tribune) and “emotional commitment and fluent virtuosity,” (Pretoria News, South Africa). Formed in 1992, the ASQ garnered national attention by winning the Grand Prize in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, First Prize in both the Coleman and Carmel Chamber Music Competitions, and were Laureates in the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition.

The Quartet has appeared throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia, with frequent visits to Brazil and South Africa. They have collaborated with many of the world’s finest musicians, including members of the Vermeer, Tokyo, Cleveland and Juilliard Quartets, and their live performances have been heard on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today,” and “Live from Music Mountain”. The ASQ has recorded for Albany Records and Urtext Digital Classics, and has a long-term contract with Centaur Records. Their most recent release of the two string quartets of Janácek is now available.  (“These performances of the Arianna String Quartet demonstrate how technical excellence, in alliance with imagination and the human heart, can come to create something truly transcendent.” – Fanfare Magazine)

Highlights for 2014-15 include two trips to Brazil, live performances on WFMT radio, concerts throughout the United States, and a return to the Madeline Island Music Camp (WI). The ASQ also looks forward to the continuation of the Arianna Chamber Music Festival, held on the campus of the University of Missouri - St. Louis, where they have been full-time faculty since 2000.  The Arianna Quartet also presents their own series at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis.

Coaching and teaching as a quartet, the ASQ has led the design and implementation of numerous chamber music programs which include a focus on ideas of community, outreach and entrepreneurship, and helping students develop skills for a self-sustaining business that gives back to their communities through teaching and performances.

John McGrosso has been the first violinist of the Arianna String Quartet since 1998. He has been featured as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Mr. McGrosso received his bachelors and masters degrees from Juilliard.

Violinist David Gillham holds his Bachelor's degree from the University of Manitoba, Master's degree from the Peabody Conservatory, and Performer's Diploma from Indiana University. In 2003,David was awarded the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee medal for his contributions to the arts.

The newest member of the Arianna, violist Joanna Mendoza has performed and taught at Interlochen Arts Camp, Chamber Music at the Barn, Mammoth Lakes Music Festival, and the Bellingham Music Festival. Ms. Mendoza earned her degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and The Juilliard School.

A founding member of the Arianna, cellist Kurt Baldwin was awarded the Grand Prize in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Mr. Baldwin received his bachelor of music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory, and earned a master of music degree from the New England Conservatory.