Academy Student Spotlight: Q&A with Quartet Meraviglia
April 21st, 2026
How does a quartet change when its members spend time growing individually before returning to play together again?
From Bronze Medalists at the 2024 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition to Silver Medalists at the 2026 Coltman Chamber Music Competition, Quartet Meraviglia has continued to build an impressive presence on the national chamber music stage.
The quartet, composed of Academy violinists Elle Cho, Lauren Kim, Emily Chen, and cellist Lucy Wu, coached by Rodolfo Vieira, first came together in 2024. After that year of collaboration, the members continued their studies in different chamber ensembles within the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy, where groups are re-formed each season. Two years later, in 2026, they were brought back together through this rotation, reuniting as Quartet Meraviglia.
Previous accolades include:
- Bronze Medalist of the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in 2024
- Overall Winner of the 2024 MYA Chicago National Chamber Music Competition
- Silver Medalist of the 2024 Saint Paul String Quartet Competition
- Honorable mention at the 2024 & 2026 Barnett Chamber Music Competition
- Silver Medalist of the 2026 Coltman Chamber Music Competition
Meet the members:
Elle Cho, violin, student of Almita Vamos
Elle began violin studies at the age of three. As a winner of the DePaul Concerto Competition, she made her solo debut at age eight with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago. A recipient of the prestigious Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship, Elle has been a prizewinner in numerous competitions, performed in master classes with leading artists, and participated in renowned summer festivals.
Lauren Kim, violin, student of Almita Vamos and Injoo Choi
Lauren made her orchestral debut at age twelve with the Oistrakh Symphony. She has earned top prizes in national and international competitions, including the Walgreen National Concerto Competition and the Chicago International Music Competition and performed in master classes with world-class artists.
Emily Chen, violin, student of Almita Vamos and Injoo Choi
Emily made her solo orchestral debut at age ten with the Northeastern Illinois University Orchestra. She has earned international recognition, including the Grand Prize at the 2024 Chicago International Music Competition and a 2024 YoungArts award. She has participated in master classes with renowned musicians and participated in the 29th Morningside Music Bridge International Festival at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
Lucy Wu, cello, student of Stefan Kartman
Lucy made her solo orchestral debut at age ten with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and since has been a soloist with the Milwaukee, Madison, Oistrakh (Chicago), Concord Chamber, and Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestras, as laureate of their Young Artist Competitions. In the summer of 2025, Lucy performed with the National Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and on their East Asian tour.
We spoke with Quartet Meraviglia about reuniting as a quartet after two years, their competition experience, and looking forward as they prepare for their final competition together.
What has it been like coming back together as a quartet after having played together before? How has the group evolved since the last time you played together?
Usually when the Academy places students into a chamber group, it takes some time to establish a group dynamic. However, since we had already worked together for a year, it felt almost natural, and easy to play together as a quartet again. It has also been easier for us to grasp new repertoire and explore the nuances in the music. Since we are very comfortable with each other, rehearsing and playing together feels more relaxed and fun, and we can come together as one. Individually, we have grown as musicians, which has improved our ability to communicate with each other.
Having played together before and grown individually in between, what do you feel are the most important elements to focus on to make a quartet really work?
Communication makes up the entire group dynamic. We make sure to be honest with each other and give good feedback. Additionally, with the three of us being seniors, scheduling has been harder with college auditions and applications, however we created a method to find times to rehearse within our availability which has been helpful.
You’ve competed in several major chamber competitions, both together and in other groups. What have those experiences taught you, and what advice would you offer to other students preparing for their competitions?
To always stay humble. Traveling to these different competitions and watching ensembles from all over the country and the world has been especially inspiring, and we would encourage other musicians to be open minded and look to fellow musicians as inspiration rather than competition.
What’s a favorite memory you’ve shared as a quartet, either from your first time together or this year?
Traveling to Texas together was really fun. We were able to explore Austin together as a quartet. Late night hotel rehearsals, crammed in hotel bathrooms, practicing at night with all our practice mutes on without any stands, calls with Rodolfo, made it a truly bonding experience.
As you prepare for Fischoff, what are you focusing on most as a group, and what excites you about the experience ahead?
Fischoff will be our official last competition as Quartet Meraviglia with the Academy, so we are really just trying to savor the moment and enjoy the experience while it lasts. And to overall create new and fun memories.
As they prepare for their final competition together, they carry with them not only a record of achievement, but the skills to carry them beyond the Academy and the shared experiences that have defined their time together. We wish them the best of luck as they head into the quarterfinals of the 53rd Annual Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.
