Emerging Artists String Quartet

Advanced, pre-formed quartets may apply for the Emerging Artists String Quartet (EASQ) Program. This four-week program is an intensive opportunity for participants to hone their talent and career goals under the guidance of the world-renowned Takács Quartet.

2026 Applications Now Open

Fellowship Institute

EMERGING ARTISTS STRING QUARTET: Jun 15 - Jul 12, 2026

Our Summer Music Festival is a highlight of the Southern California arts community, presenting nearly 100 public events and attended by tens of thousands of audience members. The Music Academy proudly welcomes everyone from across all cultures and backgrounds to experience the transformative power of music.

Thrive personally and professionally

Program Offerings

Be Mentored by the Takács Quartet

with daily coachings & a public masterclass, + observe an open rehearsal

Perform an evening-length recital

Perform chamber music side-by-side with teaching artists

Receive professional concert recordings

Attend a wide variety of Summer Festival masterclasses and performances

Performance in the Music Academy's 2026-27 Mariposa Concert Series

$8,000 performance fee plus travel and accommodations

Our time as the EASQ has been the highlight of our quartet's career thus far. The opportunity to study intensely with a master quartet like the Takács and perform with artists such as Jeremy Denk and Andy Akiho has forever changed how we approach our music. Alongside the incredible artistry we absorbed, the full support of the Music Academy since our summer has been second to none, and we cannot recommend this program enough!

Prometheus Quartet, 2025 Emerging Artists String Quartet

The Best of the Best

Meet The Takács Quartet

The world-renowned Takács Quartet is now entering its fiftieth anniversary season, comprised of members Edward Dusinberre, Harumi Rhodes (violins), Richard O’Neill (viola) and András Fejér (cello). The members also serve as Artists in Residence at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

In 2014 the Takács became the first string quartet to be awarded the Wigmore Hall Medal. In 2012, Gramophone announced that the Takács was the first string quartet to be inducted into its Hall of Fame. The ensemble also won the 2011 Award for Chamber Music and Song presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society in London.

View Full Biography

If a member of the ensemble would also like to be considered as an individual fellow for the instrumental fellowship program, that member must submit an additional, separate application and application fee for their instrumental program.

If enrolled as a pre-formed quartet, members cannot also be enrolled as six-week Academy fellows due to the intensive nature of these separate opportunities.

See Our Instrumental Program

Testimonials & Good Vibes😊

Don't just take it from us, see why fellows love the Music Academy.

"My experience at the Festival was life changing. From performing one of my favorite roles and working on it with incredible artists, to making new lifelong friends and musical connections, to collaborating with fantastic pianists and chamber musicians, to singing for people in current hiring positions. It was all so enlightening and made me feel ready for my next professional engagement!"

"By far the best run festival I’ve ever been to. The only one where I haven’t been burnt out by the end. Of course the music was great, but having such supportive staff around was so appreciated. It genuinely felt like everyone on campus cared about what we were doing."

The relationships built between fellow and teaching artist are the core of the Music Academy experience. I have never been to another festival where this is as valued and it makes such a big difference.

"Simply put: Best. Summer. Ever."

"The program was extremely organized with scheduling and each concert cycle exceeded my expectations. The facilities and artists were amazing. Each performance, whether masterclass or concert, felt so passionate with my fellow musicians."

"The teaching artists are the best of the best in their crafts, and it helped me set a standard for the quality of work, discipline, and artistry I should set for myself and my collaborators."