Live Final Round Weekend: April 10–12, 2026
at The Ebenezer Theater in Easton, Maryland
Application Period: September 1 – December 15, 2025
2026 Competition Finalists
BROMPTON QUARTET
Members in alphabetical order: Søren Lorentzen (viola), Evan Nicholson (cello), Anne-Marie Wnek (violin), Madeleine Zarry (violin)
The Brompton Quartet is an American-Canadian string quartet founded in August 2025 at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Under the guidance of Professors Norman Fischer, Valnetin Radutiu, and James Dunham, the ensemble has worked closely to establish a shared approach to sound, balance, and interpretation. Since its formation, the quartet has been dedicated to open musical dialogue artistic clarity and precision, and expressive nuance, all in pursuit of a unique and unified musical identify.
The Brompton Quartet has appeared on the Shepherd School of Music’s Fall Chamber Music Series and also performed at Rice University’s Fall Commencement ceremony. These performances have challenged the quartet to cultivate both adaptability and musical consistency, and they continue to seek out other such opportunities. The ensemble has also participated in masterclasses with the Cuarteto Casals and violist Nick Cords, gaining important input from internationally known and respected artists.
As the Brompton Quartet continues to grow, they are guided by curiosity, commitment to artistic integrity, and their love of music. With a strong foundation and excitement for the future, the ensemble looks forward to deepening its impact both on and off the concert stage as it establishes itself within the world of chamber music.
CANDIDE QUARTET
Members in alphabetical order: Chili Ekman (violin), Vanny Hu (cello), Amelia Krinke (viola), Henry Rogers (violin)
Now in their third year as an ensemble, the Candide Quartet is even more dedicated to sharing the camaraderie inherent in string quartet playing, as well as exploring the profound wealth of repertoire for string quartet.
The quartet has been the Fellowship String Quartet at Madeline Island Chamber Music and Music at the Vineyards in Napa, and has attended the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival and has held the PRISMA Quartet Fellowship. The quartet will be holding fellowships at Great Lakes Chamber Festival and Music from Angel Fire in 2026.
The Candide Quartet has been coached and mentored by many esteemed musicians including David Finckel, Daniel Phillips, Paul Neubauer, Samuel Rhodes, Robert Levin, Eugene Drucker, Philip Setzer, Nicholas Mann, Joseph Lin, Areta Zhulla, Brian Zeger and David Kim. They have also worked with the Miro, American, Calidore, Harlem and the Pacifica Quartets, among others.
In 2025, the Candide Quartet participated in the Robert Mann String Quartet Seminar and in 2025 and 2026, the Calidore Quartet Seminar at the University of Delaware. The Quartet recently made their Alice Tully Hall debut as part of the Honors Chamber Program, and was invited to participate in the CMS masterclass series with Paul Neubauer.
Photo credit: James Hall, Onyx and Ash
DOLPHINS QUARTET
Members in alphabetical order: Luke Henderson (violin), Ian Maloney (cello), Isaac Park (violin), James Preucil (viola)
The Dolphins Quartet is a Juilliard-trained string quartet and composer collective based in New York City, devoted to making chamber music vibrant, daring, and deeply human. Their first performances together gained attention for bold improvisatory choices, a spirit of risk-taking that became the foundation of the ensemble. They began composing original works, including The Dolphin Miniatures, a seven-movement piece chronicling their early experiences and adventures.
Known for adventurous programming and collaborations with composers such as John Adams, Andy Akiho, and Jessie Montgomery, the Dolphins champion discovery and storytelling. They founded a free Young Composers Program empowering pre-college students to write for string quartet and have led outreach efforts worldwide, working with incarcerated composers in California and young musicians in Nairobi. Wherever they perform, in festivals, schools, or unconventional spaces, the Dolphins aim to spark warmth, joy, and belonging. True to their name, they embody playfulness, intelligence, and a welcoming spirit.
SYNCHRONY QUARTET
Members in alphabetical order: Matthew Johnson (tenor saxophone), Haven Kahn (baritone saxophone), Philip Kleutgens (soprano saxophone), Hudson O’Reilly (alto saxophone)
Synchrony Quartet is a Chicago-based saxophone quartet dedicated to the performance of contemporary music and to fostering meaningful collaboration between performers, composers, and local communities. Formed from members of acclaimed pedagogue Taimur Sullivan’s studio, the ensemble has quickly gained national recognition, having been named a finalist in the Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition, Coltman Chamber Music Competition, the MTNA Young Artist Competition, and the North American Saxophone Alliance Chamber Music Competition, with competitions scheduled for later this year.
Committed to expanding the saxophone quartet repertoire, Synchrony Quartet is currently premiering a new work by Stacy Garrop, a Chicago-based composer whose music has been commissioned and performed by leading ensembles including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The quartet is also collaborating with the composition department at the Bienen School of Music, premiering and recording three newly commissioned works for saxophone quartet. Through projects such as these, Synchrony seeks to support emerging composers while contributing to the evolving landscape of contemporary saxophone music.
TRIO ANIMOSO
Members in alphabetical order: Sophia Jean (flute), Subin Lee (harp), Julian Seney (viola)
The Spanish word “Animoso” translates to “spirited” or “animated” which captures the essence of this dynamic ensemble, each member bringing a captivating artistic persona. The trio seeks to showcase the beauty of the historical Debussy trio while broadening the repertoire of this instrumentation by commissioning new works and presenting the lesser known but extraordinary works of underrepresented composers.
Furthermore, by actively taking part in community outreach, they aim to reach a diverse audience in terms of age, interest, and musical background. Ultimately, the trio aims to grow towards the goal of making a more accessible performance for all.
Formed in January 2024, Trio Animoso was the first and grand prize winner of the International Harp Competition “Angel Padilla Crespo,” the finalist of FACP Bucheon Conference Emerging Artist Grant, and was selected to perform on the Yale Vista Concert Series. They have been invited to perform in the opening concert series of the Philadelphia Athenaeum, Eastern Illinois University New+Emerging Artist Series, and — in March 2026 — the Essex Winter Series.