Witness the next generation of pre-professional string quartets in action
As part of the Singapore Chamber Music Festival 2026, the Advanced Quartet Program Showcase Concert presents the culmination of an intensive week of coaching for selected emerging quartets.
The Advanced Quartet Program (AQP) brings together high-level pre-professional ensembles from around the world to work closely with leading chamber musicians in a focused mentorship environment.
📅 Saturday, 4 April 2026
🕟 4:30–7:00 PM
📍 YST Conservatory Concert Hall
Hailing from Australia, Hong Kong, the USA and Singapore, these ensembles share the results of their artistic growth and collaboration.
Featured Quartets
Cong Quartet (Hong Kong/Netherlands)
Formed at the Indiana University, Cong Quartet is the Ensemble-in-Residence at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and served the artistic residency of Musique à Flaine in France. The quartet was a laureate of competitions including the Banff International String Quartet Competition and the winner of competitions such as the Virtuoso Belcanto Festival Chamber Music Competition in Italy.
To celebrate their 10th season in the 2025-26 season, the quartet has performed at the Philharmonie de Paris, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and other significant venues during their anniversary tour.
ZiNC String Quartet (USA)
Founded in 2022, the ZiNC String Quartet comprises violinists Elle Shin and Jose Olea, violist Julius Adams, and cellist Claire Park. Each member has earned Masters degrees from top music institutions including Yale School of Music, UNC School of the Arts, New England Conservatory, and Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
The ZiNC Quartet is based in Durham, North Carolina, and performs full-time with the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, as well as bringing educational programs to local public schools.
NOMOS Quartet (Singapore)
Formed in their freshman year at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and now continuing into the sophomore season, the NOMOS Quartet comprises four dedicated young musicians - Chen Yun-Li, Chen Yi-Tien, Timothy Cher, and Zhu Ruoning.
The NOMOS Quartet is coached by Han Oh, and has been fortunate to receive masterclasses from the Verona Quartet, the Borromeo Quartet, the Brodsky Quartet, the T'ang Quartet, and Sibbi Bernhardsson.
Quartet 121 (Australia)
Founded in February 2024, Quartet 121 is a Sydney-based string quartet of students from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The quartet has developed under the tutelage of Timothy Kantor, Julian Smiles, and Ole Bøhn.
Quartet 121 has been awarded the Sydney Eisteddfod Orvieto Musica Festival Scholarship, and the George Henderson String Quartet Scholarship. The quartet has also played in masterclasses with the Esmé Quartet, Eric Wong, Alessandro Cervo, Kirsten Docter, and the Takács Quartet.
Bencoolen Quartet (Singapore)
We’re a young quartet formed by members of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra. Our name comes from the place we frequently rehearse at, which is at Bencoolen Street in Singapore!
We have been playing together for the past 2 years and have performed on various occasions including SCMF 2025 and private concerts. We have had the privilege of studying under coaches from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory and the Concordia Quartet.
Vértice Quartet (Singapore)
Formed in 2025, the Vértice Quartet consists of first-year students at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. Named after the Italian word for “summit,” the ensemble reflects this aspiration through its commitment to artistic growth, musical excellence, and a shared passion for chamber music, striving to bring joy to every performance and connect meaningfully with audiences.
The quartet is coached by Dr Yang Shuxiang, Mr Leslie Tan and members of the T’ang Quartet, Mr Ng Yu-Ying and Mr Ang Chek Meng, and had a masterclass with Mr Paul Cassidy of the Brodsky Quartet.
Experience the artistry and dedication of these emerging chamber musicians in an inspiring afternoon of quartet performance.
Tickets: $5 via BookMyShow
