Edgar

Born in South Africa to French and Spanish parents, Edgar Donati is a true citizen of the world. He is fluent in three languages and has lived in many different countries, forging his own eclectic style. He began his studies at the age of 5 with Tedi Papavrami and Viollça Agolli, immediately winning first prize in Paris’ Flame Competition and the Vatelot Violin Competition. After moving to Serbia and winning first prize in the International Petar Konjovic Competition and the Young Artists Podium, Edgar made his solo debut with the Serbian Vojvodina Symphony Orchestra. He maintains an active performing career, and has given several solo recitals in Belgrade’s Kolarac Concert Hall and at the Serbian Academy of Fine Arts (SANU). He is also regularly invited to perform in Montreal, France, and Guadeloupe.

Edgar spent time at the Conservatoire National Régional de Paris before moving to North America where he received his Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music from McGill University’s Schulich School, studying with Marcelle Mallette and Axel Strauss. He also holds a Performer Diploma from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University under the tutelage of Mauricio Fuks. He has worked with Salley Koo and currently studies with Lucie Robert at the Mannes School of Music, as part of the graduate string quartet. He has also worked with several famous masters such as Alexandre Brussilovski, Vladimir Landsman, Dejan Bogdanovic, Yuri Volguine, Boris Kuschnir and Zakhar Bron

Martin

The Korean-Canadian violinist, Martin Noh, was born in South Korea and raised in Canada. He is an active performer, playing solo, chamber, and improvised works both nationally and internationally. In 2015, Martin made his debut with the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, and since then, has performed as a soloist with various symphony and chamber orchestras throughout Ontario. In 2017, he was selected as a national finalist at the Canadian Music Competition.

Martin has traveled the world as an orchestral musician, performing in world-renowned venues across North America, Europe, and abroad. A scholarship recipient at the Eastman School Of Music, Martin studied under the tutelage of Professor Oleh Krysa and has worked closely with members of the Ying Quartet as part of the Intensive Chamber music seminar. He has also worked with Salley Koo at Montclair State University. Martin is currently studying with Lucie Robert as part of the Cuker and Stern Graduate String Quartet residency.

In addition to his active performing career, Martin is also a dedicated teacher. He has maintained his international studio for over 5 years, sharing his knowledge and passion for music with students around the world.

Outside of violin, Martin enjoys playing various sports such as table tennis, basketball, badminton, and tennis. He currently plays on a violin made by Andranik Gaybaryan in 2018.

Daniel

Daniel Spink, violist, is an international performer, and collaborator with composers. He has premiered and recorded many new works for both solo viola and string quartet. His performance schedule includes regular chamber music performances in Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and performances in America, Canada, and Europe, including Banff Center and LAMP.

Daniel made his violin solo debut with orchestra at age 10. A lover of cross genre improvisation, he teaches and regularly performs in improvised concerts. Daniel has won grand prizes in Francis Walton Competition and in Coltman Chamber Music Competition with Kodak Quartet, and in 2016 was a finalist in the American Viola Society Festival’s National Solo Competition.

Daniel has held teaching positions at Interlochen Arts Camp, Eastman School of music, and Kanack School of Music. Daniel Has served as Artist Quartet in Residence at Montclair state University and the Mannes School of music. Mr. Spink received his Bachelor and Masters of Music at the Eastman School of Music, where he was also Professor Rostad’s Teaching Assistant. His primary pedagogues were Carol Rodland, Masumi Rostad, and Paul Neubauer.

Daniel studied chamber music with Members of Alban Berg Quartet, JACK quartet, Borodin Quartet, Verona Quartet, Danel, American, Kronos, Chiara, Pacifica, Ying, Jupiter, Borromeo, and Brentano Quartets.

Daniel grew up in Colorado, and away from the viola he enjoys practicing mixed martial arts, swimming, cycling, and hiking.

Blake

Blake Kitayama is a chamber musician, orchestral cellist, and music educator who strives to foster an accessible musical dialogue. Blake made his solo debut with the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra in 2003. Alongside positions with the Jackson Symphony and Huntsville Symphony, he most recently held a position with the Winston Salem Symphony and has recorded for Navano Records. In addition to performing recitals across the United States, Blake has appeared on national broadcasts APM’s Performance Today, KING FM Classical Northwest, and NPR Live Sessions.. He currently enjoys performing concerts and outreach nationally and internationally with the Kodak Quartet.

An advocate for collaboration and new music, Blake has continuously worked across genres. Providing cello and vocal harmonies, for songwriters such as Sofie Zamchick and Anna Schofield. In the classical world he has also debuted dozens of new classical works for mixed ensembles written by his contemporaries.

As an educator, Blake has extensive experience working with all ages and backgrounds. He has maintained a private studio for over 8 years, and has taught at summer festivals including Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute and Interlochen Center for the Arts. He seeks to build curiosity and engage his students in the awareness and process that is cello playing.

He earned a Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University under the instruction of Felix Wang and his Master of Music at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with Brooks Whitehouse. He is currently studying under the JACK Quartet at Mannes School of Music, as a member of the Cuker and Stern Graduate String Quartet.