Folk roots to string masterpieces Dvorak, Holst, and the Danish String Quartet.

This ensemble brings together five musicians whose diverse artistry spans classical, contemporary, and improvisational traditions. Violist Hilary Lewis, a Bay Area native now based in Cambridge, is both a performer and educator in the Somerville Public Schools, known for creating eclectic, audience-friendly programming. Sydney-born Joanne Sadler has performed widely across Europe and Australia, with credits ranging from the Ulster Orchestra to the Orchestre de Cirque D’Hiver, and studied under renowned teachers in London and Sydney. Violinist Dmitri Ascarrunz, an avid interpreter of new music teaches with El Sistema, cultivating the next generation of string players. Cellist Valerie Thompson is a dynamic performer and educator whose career bridges classical, rock, and folk traditions, with collaborations ranging from the Vitamin String Quartet to international cultural diplomacy tours. Rounding out the group is bassist William Mabuza, a Somerville native and 2023 graduate of New England Conservatory, whose deep grounding in jazz and free improvisation reflects the influence of visionaries such as John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Together, their collective experiences create a rich and multifaceted voice for the stage.

st. anne’s chapel, 20 claremont ave, arlington, ma - suggested donation $20