Folk Arts Quartet

"The FAQ is a splendid new group that fuses grooving, dancing fiddle music with the best of string quartet arranging and texture. This is truly an idea whose time has come, beautifully executed....there's really nothing else like them...Check them out-you'll be glad you did!" – Matt Glaser

Under the structural guise of a string quartet, the Folk Arts Quartet breaks musical molds by fusing the worlds of folk and chamber music in a new genre they call ChamberGrass. The Folk Arts Quartet (FAQ) combines folk styles from the fiddle world with the arts heritage of the classical string quartet. As the four young women of FAQ pioneer this style they are gaining recognition for their musicianship and innovation. They met while studying at the Berklee College of Music. Although classically trained, they all have extensive experience in folk / roots music. Hailing from Scotland, Canada, and the United States, they each have distinct musical styles. The FAQ has had the honour of being mentored by some of the best contemporary string players around, including Matt Glaser, Natalie Haas, Eugene Friesen and John McGann.

FAQ arranges traditional tunes and original compositions using an array of techniques and ideas-some they've learned from Classical string quartet pieces, others from folk bands, and others they've invented on their own. With the addition of the occasional beautiful song or energetic step dance, their groovy, contemporary style nods to their many influences and breathes new life into folk and chamber music.

Emma Beaton is a young inventive folk cellist, vocalist, and banjo player from Vancouver Island. Victoria's Ivonne Hernandez is an award-winning fiddler and a Grand North American Fiddle Champion. Hannah Read is a young fiddler and vocalist from Edinburgh. Violist Julie Metcalf began as a classical violinist in Worcester, MA. This is going to be an amazing show!

Website: www.folkartsquartet.com