Meet Kronos Quartet's Newest Members

Violist Ayane Kozasa will succeed Hank Dutt and violinist Gabriela Díaz will succeed John Sherba as of this fall

The GRAMMY Award-winning Kronos Quartet has appointed violist Ayane Kozasa and violinist Gabriela Díaz as its newest members. They will succeed Hank Dutt and John Sherba, who have played with the group for almost 50 years and recently announced their retirements.

Kozasa is a founding member of the award-winning VC Artist Aizuri Quartet, where she was a member for 11 years. A former winner of the Primrose International Viola Competition, she has commissioned multiple new works for the viola, and is a member of the duo Ayane & Paul with Kronos’ cellist Paul Wiancko. 

She is also on the viola faculty of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and has been guest faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Northwestern University.

A champion of contemporary music, Díaz has worked with many composers on their works, including Pierre Boulez, Jessie Montgomery, Alvin Lucier, Unsuk Chin, John Zorn, Joan Tower, Roger Reynolds, Chaya Czernowin, Steve Reich, Tania León, Brian Ferneyhough, and Helmut Lachenmann. 

Díaz is the concertmaster of the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), and a member of the International Contemporary Ensemble and A Far Cry. Additionally, she teaches at Wellesley College and the Longy School of Music at Bard College, and is the co-artistic director of the chamber music and outreach organization Winsor Music.

“We are thrilled for everyone to experience the vitality, joy, and sincere artistry that Ayane brings to the quartet — and we can’t think of anyone more qualified to carry on the legacy of our dear friend and longtime violist Hank Dutt,” Kronos Quartet posted on Facebook. “Thank you, Hank, for your many years of service to Kronos — and for recommending Ayane to us. An exciting new era is here and this coming season will be unprecedented. Please join us and come meet Ayane in person — you will love her!”

“It is an absolute dream come true to be part of a group with such a rich history of devotion to the music of our time,” Díaz posted on Facebook earlier this year. “I can’t imagine more wonderful partners in this new endeavor-David, Ayane, and Paul. They are such thoughtful and inspiring musicians who are also the most generous, open, and kind people. New adventures ahead!”