Delgani String Quartet

In addition to performance, the work of the Delgani String Quartet has a strong educational component. The group gives performances and holds workshops for students at all educational levels. The Delgani String Quartet was formed in 2014 in Eugene, Oregon, and continues to be based there. The four original members were violinists Wyatt True and Jannie Wei (who later married), violist Morgan O'Shaughnessey, and cellist Kelly Quesada. All four members were recent graduates of the University of Oregon and had played with various chamber and orchestral groups, including the Oregon Mozart Players, the Oregon Bach Collegium, and the Eugene Symphony. The group stated its educational mission from the beginning, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and receiving grants from various Oregon foundations and arts groups. The current members as of the mid-2020s were Wei, violinist Anthea Kreston, violist Kimberlee Uwate, and cellist Eric Alterman. All maintain independent careers. In 2022, the group made its recording debut on the album Icarus and Other Music by Elena Ruehr. The Delgani String Quartet performs at its own subscription series in the Oregon cities of Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Corvallis. The group also makes guest appearances around the state of Oregon and has performed at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. In addition, many of the quartet's appearances take place in educational contexts. Notably, the group engages with students from elementary school students to adults. As part of its Classical Spark program, the group travels to third-grade classrooms in Oregon's Lane and Benton Counties. It holds an annual Summer Quartet Academy for middle and high school students and offers performances during an annual residency at the University of Oregon, working with student composers. The quartet has also held residencies at Oregon community colleges. In 2023, the Delgani String Quartet released its solo debut, appearing with pianist, vocalist, and composer Clarice Assad on the Avie album Soul of Brazil.
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