Carpe Diem String Quartet appoints new cellist, Ariana Nelson.

Columbus, OH – Carpe Diem String Quartet announces the appointment of cellist, Ariana Nelson.

One of the most unique and sought-after chamber ensembles on the concert stage today, the Carpe Diem String Quartet was founded in 2005 by members of the Columbus Symphony, and has gone on to become a boundary-breaking, award winning ensemble that has earned widespread critical and audience acclaim for its innovative programming and electrifying performances. With programming that reflects its passions for Gypsy, tango, folk, pop, rock, and jazz-inspired music alongside the traditional string quartet repertoire, Carpe Diem has defied easy classification while quickly becoming one of America’s premier “indie” string quartets. Recently, Carpe Diem’s recording of the music of Jeff Midkiff won Gold Medal at the Global Music Awards.

A native of Seattle, Washington, Ariana Nelson was steeped in chamber music as a child. Family influences in music extend three generations back to her grandfather, Alan Iglitzin, who was the founding violist of the Philadelphia String Quartet. Her mother Karen was the first violinist of the quartet before she started her own chamber music organization in Seattle, called Chamber Music Madness. Since age eight, Ariana has been playing string quartets. Her extensive chamber music experience has included coaching with renowned musicians such as Emanuel Ax, James Dunham, David Finckel, John Harbison, Desmond Hoebig, Jon Kimura-Parker, and Roger Tapping.

Ariana received her Master of Music degree at the Juilliard School in May of 2017 where she studied with Darrett Adkins. She completed her Bachelor of Music degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, studying cello with Norman Fischer of the Concord Quartet. Ariana is now based in Houston where she is a member of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra. Ariana teaches cello as an adjunct faculty member at Texas Southern University, and is a coach for AFA’s Chamber Music Academy. She is an avid proponent of new music and loves experimenting with different styles, including improvisation and folk music. Ariana has received many honors as a soloist, most recently winning third prize at the 2016 Eisemann Young Artists Competition in Dallas, Texas.

Carpe Diem’s 2020-21 season will include their annual monthly Seize the Music Series in Columbus, OH, a residency at Accademia Chigiana (Siena, Italy), a return to Concerts in the Barn festival in Washington State, an appearance at the International Double Reed Society Conference and the Snake River Music Festival. The quartet will bid farewell to former cellist Greg Sauer and debut new cellist Ariana Nelson in October by presenting the Schubert Cello Quintet at their opening Seize the Music concert in Columbus, Ohio.

Carpe Diem String Quartet is represented by Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates

For more information, visit greatlakespaa.org or contact glpaaoffice@greatlakespaa.org