The Musco Center Will Host the Juilliard String Quartet This February

Areta Zhulla, the new first violinist with Juilliard String Quartet (JSQ) makes her West Coast debut presented by Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University on February 21 at 7:30pm. Founded in 1946, JSQ returns to the campus several years after their Chapman debut in the 1960s. With the introduction of Zhulla, JSQ's arrival exemplifies the quartet's ongoing impact by performing and educating with unparalleled artistry and enduring vigor.

JSQ's latest addition, first violinist Areta Zhulla, joined the Quartet in September 2018. Hailing from Greece, Zhulla has been named "Young Artist of the Year" by the country's National Critics Association. She is also the Quartet's second female member, following Astrid Schween who became the first in September 2016.

As a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, Zhulla has performed internationally at renown venues including Carnegie Hall, Auditorium du Louvre in Paris, Alice Tully Hall, Kennedy Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and National Arts Centre of Canada. Zhulla was a member of Chamber Music Society Two of Lincoln Center. She is a close collaborator and former teaching assistant to Itzhak Perlman. Zhulla is currently the artistic director of the Perlman-Genesis Violin Project and is chamber music faculty at the Perlman Music Program, of which she is an alumna.

Areta Zhulla joins members Ronald Copes, violin, Roger Tapping, viola, and Astrid Schween, cello. Hailed by the Boston Globe as "the most important American quartet in history," JSQ will perform Haydn's Opus 77/2 in F, Kurtag's 6 Moments Musicaux, and Dvorak's Opus 96 in F "American." A vibrant combination of familiar and daring, this repertoire presents JSQ's breadth and mastery of their strings.

"Juilliard String Quartet's ability to maintain a fresh perspective with new members is exemplary of their staying power," said Richard T. Bryant, Executive Director of Musco Center. "Ms. Zhulla is a rising star sharing the stage with three virtuosos in their own right. I'm simply captivated."

Juilliard String Quartet previously performed at Chapman University as part of an Artist Lecture Series in 1963-64. Founding member and part of the aforementioned performance, Robert Mann passed away at the beginning of 2018. His lasting influence is championed at Chapman University's Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music.

Robert Becker, Associate Professor and Director of String Studies graduated from the Juilliard School and served as an assistant to Mann. William Fitzpatrick, Henri Temianka Endowed Professor of Music, is also a Juilliard graduate who assisted both Robert Mann and Claus Adam of JSQ.

Juilliard String Quartet members are devoted masters of their craft, when they are not on tour. Each serve as faculty at prestigious music programs and work closely with students. They will share their educational prowess with Chapman University students as part of the Musco Master Class Program. Over several days, students will receive personal coaching, small group master classes, and attend open rehearsals.

Tickets for February 21 are on sale now for $25-45 and may be purchased through Musco Center online at www.muscocenter.org or by calling the box office at 844-OC-MUSCO (844-626-8726). All print-at-home tickets include a no-cost parking pass. Musco Center for the Arts is located on the campus of Chapman University at 415 North Glassell, Orange, Calif.

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