Rasa String Quartet

Impressions: East meets West

Kiyoshi Hayashi, violin 
Maura Shawn Scanlin, violin/viola 
Emma Kondo Powell, violin/viola 
Mina Kim, cello 

The Rasa String Quartet explores the musical space where classical and global folk traditions intersect and influence one another, inspiring curiosity and powerful emotions. They bring together folk selections and highlights from anime and film scores from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese backgrounds in this fascinating and beautiful program. 

The Boston-based Rasa String Quartet finds their niche exploring the musical space where classical and folk traditions intersect and influence one another. They are the 2022-23 ensemble in residence at Phillips Exeter Academy and winners of the 2022 Associazione Europea Di Musica E Comunicazione International Chamber Music Competition (Italy,) the 2021 Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition (ATL) and the 2021 Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition (OH.) The quartet can be found collaborating with the preeminent folk musicians of today, performing their own programs in venues and festivals around the country, and participating in artistic and educational residencies at a variety of institutions. Inspired by the connection between music and storytelling at the heart of folk traditions, Rasa String Quartet creates engaging and fresh programs that are approachable by a wide range of people. Educating their audiences by contextualizing the genres, styles, and composers they present, they invite their listeners to experience a variety of both familiar and unfamiliar sounds with curiosity and openness. 

This project is supported in part by the