You are here

School of Music well represented by Oceana String Quartet

Submitted by Humanities Web Project on April 3, 2013 - 12:00am
Emily Choi, Rochelle Nguyen, Romaric Pokorny, and Sonja Myklebust
Oceana String Quartet

The School of Music’s Oceana String Quartet has made an impressive showing in several recent chamber music competitions, performing alongside some of the most promising young musicians in the country.

The group recently advanced to the national level of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) chamber music competition after winning both the Washington State and Northwest Division portions. At the national competition in Anaheim, California, this past March, the group competed among winners from seven regional areas of the United States, performing Felix Mendelssohn's Capriccio in e minor, Claude Debussy's String Quartet in g minor, Leos Janacek's String Quartet No. 1 "Kreutzer Sonata," and William Bolcom's 3 Rags for String Quartet.

Though the quartet did not bring home a win at that level, the musicians soon received much better news upon learning that Oceana Quartet has qualified to compete in the prestigious Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition April 27 in Pasadena, California. A highly respected national and international event for young artists since 1947, the Coleman competition draws gifted competitors from major music schools across the country to perform before a panel of esteemed judges for generous monetary awards.

Coached by violist Melia Watras, chair of the UW’s Strings program, the Quartet was formed in winter 2011 by violinists Emily Choi and Rochelle Nguyen, violist Romaric Pokorny, and cellist Sonja Myklebust. Their performance schedule has included numerous public and private appearances at the UW and throughout Seattle.

"The Oceana Quartet has been a wonderful representative of the UW School of Music," says Watras. "I'm very proud of the work they have done, and their excellent showing at top national competitions has been a great learning and professional experience for them."

The group’s final UW performance for the 2012-13 academic year is Saturday, May 11, 7:30 p.m., at Brechemin Auditorium. Details are available here.

People Involved: 
Share