Viola performance graduate Lauren Spaulding (MM 鈥�14) this month joined the acclaimed and diverse , Doctoral Fellowship String Quartet at the University of Maryland.
Spaulding, originally from Texas, was first introduced to the quartet when members of the ensemble started following her on Instagram 鈥� which soon led to her audition.听
鈥淚 started this ridiculous blog and called it my absurd practice blog,鈥� says Spaulding, who started music late in life after exploring careers in neuroscience and dental health. 鈥淚t helped me combat insecurities and confront feelings we have as musicians that we aren鈥檛 good enough. It gave me the freedom to be real.听
鈥淭he thing that inspires me most is expressing my feelings and experiences without using words.鈥�
Often exploring the works of diverse composers and non-Western influences, the Thalea String Quartet鈥攆rom the Greek name Thaleia (鈥渢o flourish, to blossom鈥�)鈥攊s committed to shaping and contributing to the future of the string quartet repertoire. Specifically, the ensemble has premiered dozens of new works and collaborated on new commissions with such composers as Anthony Green, Paola Prestini, Tanner Porter and Akshaya Avril Tucker. Quartet members intentionally incorporate into their work awareness of the Black experience in classical music, 鈥渃oming out鈥� in classical music, mental health, learning disabilities and non-violent communication. They鈥檙e also known to collaborate and perform alongside poets, writers and other artists.听
This perspective on the Thalea String Quartet鈥攕hared by violinist David Harrington of the veteran Kronos Quartet鈥攕ums up the foursome鈥檚 broad appeal: 鈥淛ust when I thought our society was falling apart, along came the Thalea Quartet鈥檚 vivid, expansive performances! Their beautifully textured sound is enveloped by thrilling individual brilliance and highlighted by a rare, magnetic quartet sense emanating from every note they play. Hearing the Thalea Quartet makes me feel very happy and gives me hope for the future. They are great ambassadors for music.鈥�
Beyond her exciting new gig as a member of the Thalea String Quartet, Spaulding鈥攚ho鈥檚 also a member of Meredith Monk鈥檚 contemporary performance ensemble, co-founder of the , a regular with the Colorado Symphony, principal violist and festival artist with the Colorado MahlerFest and an award-winning studio recording artist鈥攅nergetically advocates for composers of all genders, identities, ethnicities and backgrounds.
Among her efforts, she听works with the Boston-based initiative where musicians donate their time and help raise money to address food insecurity.听
