The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) is delighted to announce that the Academy’s flagship string ensemble, The Sonic Quartet, is to undertake a tour to three US cities as part of the inaugural RIAM Scholars US Tour.
The Sonic Quartet, Max Novojilov, Julia Antolec, Shane Quinn and Doireann Ní Aodáin, will play three concerts in three US cities from 18th to 24th November 2024.
- San Francisco - Monday 18th November
Concert in Partnership with Irish Consul General, San Francisco and The Ireland Funds
- Chicago - Wednesday 20th November, 12:15 – 1:00pm
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert presented by Classical Music Chicago (CMC)
Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago and broadcast live on 98.7 WFMT Radio
- Miami - Saturday 23rd November 7:30pm and Sunday 24th November 2:00pm
Performing as part of an orchestral concert of Bach and Mozart with the New World Symphony, New World Center, Miami Beach
This tour marks the US debut of this dynamic group, who will perform some of the great 19th and 20th century chamber music works, alongside some popular and Irish repertoire. This inaugural RIAM Scholars’ US tour is the first in a planned series of annual concerts and events in various US cities, showcasing the talents of some of RIAM’s most dedicated and committed students.
Deborah Kelleher, Director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, said:
‘The Sonic Quartet is a shining example of the extraordinary talent emerging from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. We are delighted that these gifted musicians have an opportunity to share their artistry with US audiences. This tour is a wonderful platform that perfectly aligns with RIAM’s mission to nurture the next generation of world-class performers.’
About The Sonic Quartet
Formed in 2023 as a flagship ensemble of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, the Sonic Quartet comprises prize-winning musicians, Max Novojilov, Julia Antolec, Shane Quinn and Doireann Ní Aodáin. They débuted as a quartet in a masterclass for the Schumann Quartet as part of the Wigmore Hall Festival at the Whyte Recital Hall of the Royal Irish Academy of Music in September 2023. Since then, they have played in venues such as Elmwood Hall, Belfast, as part of the BMS International Festival of Chamber Music, West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Westport Festival of Chamber Music and the National Concert Hall, Dublin. They have also received masterclasses and coaching from the Belcea Quartet, the Pavel Haas Quartet, the Treske Quartet, Mia Cooper and Sarah Sew. This appearance at the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts marks the US debut of this exciting young quartet.
Max Novojilov is a violinist from Cyprus and is studying at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Sarah Sew and Elaine Clark. Recently he has been accepted into the prestigious European Union Youth Orchestra and has participated in a masterclass with Maxim Vengerov and the National Symphony Orchestra.
Julia Antolec is a violinist from Poland studying at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Sebastian Liebig. She is currently co-leader of the RIAM Symphony, and she has won awards in numerous competitions in Ireland including the Sligo Feis and Holywood Music Festival.
A native of Trim, Shane Quinn is studying violin with Sarah Sew. He has been a recipient of the Colin Staveley Memorial Prize at the Royal Irish Academy of Music for most promising string player. Shane held the position of concertmaster at Dublin Youth Orchestra and was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland.
Doireann Ní Aodáin is a cellist from Cork studying at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Martin Johnson. She is a previous member of the National Youth Orchestra and playing regularly with National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra.
