Emily Daggett Smith joins the resident ensemble at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia
Emily Daggett Smith has been appointed the new first violinist of the Vega Quartet. She replaces violinist Elizabeth Fayette, who left the quartet in 2020.
Smith is a graduate of The Juillilard School and Stony Brook University, and has served on the faculties for both institutions. As a chamber musician, she has shared the stage with many musicians including current and former members of the Cleveland, Emerson and Juilliard Quartets, as well as appearing in festivals including Caramoor, Ravinia Steans Institute, Ravinia Festival, Rockport Music, The Seattle Chamber Music Society, and Tanglewood.
Smith plays on an 1801 Johannes Cuypers violin, donated by Dr. Marylou Witz.
In addition to Smith, the Vega Quartet consists of violinist Jessica Shuang Wu, violist Yinzi Kong, and cellist Guang Wang, who are all original members of the ensemble. They have been quartet-in-residence at Emory University in Atlanta since 2006. The quartet have been prize winners at various international competitions, including at the Bordeaux String Quartet Competition, as well as top prizes from the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition, the Carmel Chamber Music Competition, and the National Society of Arts and Letters String Quartet Competition. They are dedicated to numerous educational schemes, including the founding of the Emory Youth Chamber Music Programme, which gives intensive training in small ensemble playing to advanced pre-college students.
No comments yet