The Emily Carr String Quartet (ECSQ) is one of British Columbia’s premier chamber ensembles, celebrated for its artistic excellence, commitment to Canadian music, and innovative programming inspired by the life and work of Emily Carr. Founded in 2006 by musicians from the Victoria Symphony and Aventa Ensemble, the quartet is celebrating its 20th season in 2025–2026, marking two decades of performances, commissions, recordings, and collaborations that have enriched Canada’s cultural landscape.
Based in Victoria, British Columbia, ECSQ has performed across Canada, the United States, and Europe, appearing at festivals and concert series including ISCM World Music Days, Music in the Morning and Music on Main in Vancouver, the Ankara Music Festival, Hornby Festival, the Victoria Summer Music Festival, and the IAMA Canadian Music Showcase in Montreal. The quartet has also participated in residencies at Stanford University and the Banff Centre and has collaborated with many of Canada’s leading musicians and artists.
A defining feature of the quartet’s work is its dedication to contemporary Canadian music. Through commissions, premieres, and interdisciplinary projects, ECSQ has fostered the creation of significant new works inspired by Emily Carr’s writings, paintings, and enduring connection to the landscapes and cultures of the Pacific Northwest. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered works by composers including Tobin Stokes, Jocelyn Morlock, Jared Miller, Jennifer Butler, and Iman Habibi, contributing substantially to the growth of the Canadian string quartet repertoire.
In 2024, the quartet released Portraits on the Leaf Music label, a recording that brings together four major Canadian compositions inspired by Emily Carr’s artistic legacy. Featuring works by Tobin Stokes, Jocelyn Morlock, Jared Miller, and Iman Habibi, the album explores themes of nature, creativity, identity, and place. The recording also features acclaimed mezzo-soprano Marion Newman in Stokes’ Stories from Klee Wyck. Portraits has been praised for its compelling performances and its unique celebration of one of Canada’s most iconic artists. Portraits also garnered the ECSQ a nomination at the 2024 Western Canadian Music Awards in the Classical Artist/Ensemble of the Year category. The album follows ECSQ’s debut recording, Hidden Treasure, which received a nomination for Classical Recording of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards.
Committed to both artistic innovation and community engagement, the Emily Carr String Quartet has presented educational concerts, outreach programs, and performances for diverse audiences throughout British Columbia. Through its performances, recordings, and collaborations, the quartet continues to champion Canadian voices while honoring the adventurous and creative spirit of its namesake.
The Emily Carr String Quartet comprises violinists Müge Büyükçelen and Cory Balzer, violist Mieka Michaux, and cellist Alasdair Money.