The Ardore String Quartet

The Ardore String Quartet originally formed in the fall of 2005 at Andrews University and its founding members included Lucy Lewis and Amy Jang, violins, Marc Elysée, viola and Danielle Karppala, cello. During the Quartet’s time at Andrews, they studied with Carla Trynchuk (Violin Professor & Head of the String Department) and had the opportunity to perform in a guest masterclass by the Lloyd-Carr Harris String Quartet. The Quartet re-formed at the University of Iowa in the fall of 2011 and currently, the members include Lucy Lewis and William Gentzsch, violins, Manuel Tábora, viola, and Yoo-Jung Chang, cello. During the Ardore Quartet's first year of study at the University of Iowa, they were coached by members of the Maia String Quartet (Hannah Holman, Elizabeth Oakes & Tricia Park). Currently the Quartet is studying with Elizabeth Oakes (former founding member of the Maia String Quartet), who coordinates the University of Iowa Chamber Music & String Quartet Residency Program. The Ardore Quartet has also had the opportunity to perform in guest masterclasses for Hal Grossman, the American String Quartet, The Énso String Quartet, and the St. Lawrence String Quartet. This season they have also received guest coachings from the JACK String Quartet and the Linden String Quartet, both of whom were in residence at the University of Iowa as part of the University of Iowa String Quartet Residency Program.

The Ardore String Quartet has performed recitals in concert halls, schools, hospitals and nursing homes in and around the greater Iowa City area. In April, the Ardore will join forces with the Cavani String Quartet and students from the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City for a performance of the Mendelssohn Octet as part of a University of Iowa/ Preucil School of Music chamber music workshop at the Preucil School of Music. During the month of May, the Quartet will also go on tour throughout Iowa with guest artist Elizabeth Oakes, violist. This tour is sponsored by Arts Share at the University of Iowa and is being made possible by a Better Future for Iowans grant through the University of Iowa's Office of the Provost.