Juilliard String Quartet Appoints New Member

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this season, the Juilliard String Quartet (JSQ) has named violist Molly Carr to its ensemble. She joins violinists Areta Zhulla and Ronald Copes and cellist Astrid Schween. The quartet's previous violist, beloved Roger Tapping, passed away of cancer in January 2022.

The JSQ members serve as teachers at the institution, leading masterclasses, coachings, and private instruction on campus, on tour, and with the fellows at the Tanglewood Music Center.

Molly Carr is on the Pre-College faculty at the Juilliard School, and with this appointment, she joins the college faculty. She also serves on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music and Bard College Conservatory. Carr has been the recipient of numerous international awards, including the Primrose International Viola Competition, Chamber Music America, ProMusicis Foundation, and the Davidson Institute.

“I am honored and so grateful to be joining the Juilliard String Quartet, an ensemble that I have looked up to and been inspired by my entire musical life,” Carr said. “It is such an immense privilege to be invited to follow my late mentor and friend Roger Tapping in carrying on the much-revered, decades-long traditions of this historic quartet, and having the opportunity to delve into some of the greatest music in the world on a daily basis with colleagues and friends like Areta, Ron, and Astrid is truly a dream come true. I cannot wait to get started!”

Founded in 1946, the Juilliard String Quartet is known for commissioning new works by composers including Lembit Beecher and Mario Davidovsky. This upcoming season brings premieres of two quartets by composers Jörg Widmann.

“The Juilliard String Quartet has had an extraordinary impact since its founding 75 years ago. Through successive generations of musicians, the quartet has made music of every time come to life,” said Juilliard’s president Damian Woetzel. “Now, after Roger Tapping's passing, we welcome a new voice to this continuum, Molly Carr, and it’s especially meaningful to know how she comes to this role with all of the energy and enlightenment passed on to her by Roger, who was a mentor and inspiration.”