Balourdet String Quartet
Sunday, October 4, 2026, 3:00 pm, Sleepy Hollow High School Auditorium, Sleepy Hollow, NY
The Balourdet Quartet — violinists Angela Bae and Justin DeFilippis, violist Benjamin Zannoni and cellist Russell Houston – are known for exuberant musicianship and enthusiasm for music education.
Benjamin Zannoni, viola; Justin DeFilippis, violin; Russell Houston, cello; and Angela Bae, violin. Photo/Kevin W. Condon
They describe themselves as “a collision of four musicians who activate wonder by creating beautiful art with curiosity and humor.” Since their formation in 2018 (and naming after a gourmet chef), they have received the 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant and Chamber Music America’s 2024 Cleveland Quartet Award.
“So electrifying was this young, ebullient foursome that anything could be allowed … It was an outward love affair played with love … winning from this most winning ensemble.” The Classical Music Network
With more than 70 concerts per season, recent highlights include the Balourdet’s debuts at Carnegie and Wigmore Halls, and performance of new string quartets by Karim Al-Zand, Paul Novak, and Nicky Sohn
They have recently been named the first quartet-in-residence at the Seattle Chamber Music Society and have recently completed residencies at Indiana University and the New England Conservatory’s Professional String Quartet Program. Committed to sharing their musical values with the next generation, the quartet is a regular participant in our Partnerships in Education teaching days at Westchester County public schools. They serve regularly as faculty at the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, JDR Summer Music Academy, Berkshire Summer Music, and Opus Chamber Music.
Their program will be
- Johannes Brahms, String Quartet No. 3 in B-flat Major, Op. 67
- Paul Novak, Impossible inventions, for String Quartet (2024)
- Ludwig van Beethoven, String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132