Education
We strive to empower artists of all ages to create, perform, and engage with new works through education and opportunity building. We engage with students in many ways, including composition readings, workshops, and recordings; lectures for composers, chamber musicians, or non-music students; masterclasses for composers or chamber musicians; and chamber music coachings. We have worked with musicians and composers ranging from elementary school students to graduate students and are dedicated to being a resource to help young musicians to explore and create new music. Examples of opportunities we offer for students of all ages are below.
School Residencies
For Composers
Enthusiastic workshopping of new music for strings, no matter the stage of writing, drawing on our experience performing a wide range of primarily 21st-century music
Recording and performing student works; in an ideal educational collaboration, we love having enough time to build personal relationships and help composers realize their visions meaningfully
Presenting lectures or workshops on topics including writing for strings and collaborating with performers
For Chamber Musicians
Presenting interactive workshops on chamber music skills
Presenting masterclasses for chamber music groups of any level
Coaching chamber music as a full quartet, in smaller subsets, or individually
For Classroom Settings
Presenting lecture recitals featuring music by living composers
Sharing the behind the scenes of being a chamber group, including our take on collaboration, communication, and what we’re doing and why
Bergamot Quartet at University of Texas-El Paso, Music Appreciation Class Lecture
Upcoming Residencies
New York University, New York, NY (Spring 2023)
Workshop, perform, and record graduate student compositions
University of Maryland Baltimore County (November 2023)
Workshop student compositions
Perform concert of new string quartet repertoire and student compositions
Past University Residencies
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Gave chamber music masterclass for undergraduate students
Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, MD
Presented string techniques workshop for graduate student composers
Presented career skills lecture for graduate student composers
Workshopped graduate student compositions
Performed concerts of new string quartet repertoire and graduate student composer works
Exploring Arts Careers: Presented in-person and prerecorded lectures on collaboration, behind-the-scenes of being a chamber group, and why we do what we do as an ensemble
Music Now: Presented performance, lecture, and Q&A on music of Suzanne Farrin
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Workshopped and performed doctoral student pieces at Princeton Sound Kitchen in collaboration with Arx Duo
Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester, VA
Workshopped undergraduate and graduate student compositions in a masterclass setting
Coached undergraduate chamber music students
Performed recital of new string quartet repertoire
Towson University, Towson, MD
Presented solo strings and chamber music masterclasses
Workshopped undergraduate and graduate student compositions in masterclass setting
Created studio recordings of undergraduate and graduate student compositions
Presented composition seminars and masterclasses for composers
Performed concerts of new string quartet repertoire
University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Intro to Music: Presented interactive lecture recital for non-music majors
University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD
Workshopped and performed undergraduate works for string quartet and string quartet+
University of Texas-El Paso, El Paso, TX
Gave multiple solo and chamber music masterclasses for undergraduate and graduate performance majors
Music Appreciation Class: Presented interactive lecture recital for non-music majors
Studio of Stephanie Meyers: Presented “Preparing for Performance/Injury Prevention” lecture
Past K-12 Residencies
Junior Bach Program, Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, MD
Workshopped and performed middle school works for string quartet
Mannes Preparatory, New York, NY
Workshopped and performed elementary, middle, and high school works for strings and piano
Music at the Anthologie, Jr. (MATA Jr.), New York, NY
Workshopped and performed high school works for string quartet
Slider Middle School, El Paso, TX
Presented interactive recital for middle school students
Tocando Music Project, El Paso, TX
Presented interactive recital for elementary school music students
Tunes and Tones Program, El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso, TX
Presented art-focused lecture recital for high school students
Testimonials
“For many in that class, this was their first opportunity to listen to, and converse with chamber musicians, and I know the experience left a deep impression on them. The works [Bergamot] played have continued to resonate with subjects this week as we move into more modern topics, and [their] performances are often referenced in class.” - Dr. Lindsey Macchiarella, Music Appreciation Class, University of Texas at El Paso
“With clear, engaging speaking, ferocious playing, and an obvious sense of joy, the Bergamot Quartet made my lectures come to life for my Intro to Music class. They are eager and exact ambassadors for classical and contemporary music.” - Dr. Ian Power, Intro to Music, University of Baltimore
“I am so grateful to the Bergamot Quartet for sharing their dedication, kindness, and feedback with our student composers at Mannes Prep. They were organized, efficient, and excellent with our K-18 students. Our students valued the experience, and hope to work with them again!” - Jesse Goldberg, former Assistant Director of Mannes Prep