Poiesis Quartet
As we are
The Banff Competition once again stands uncompromising in its choice of the string quartet that has the most to say: with immense artistry, seriousness, and vibrant playing, the Poiesis Quartet from the United States won the competition in 2025.
Listen to the musicians and take them as they are—modern, contemporary, different—this is the quartet we’ve been waiting for!
Members
Sarah Ying Ma | violin
Max Ball | violin
Jasper de Boor | viola
Drew Dansby | violoncello
On Tour
January 25, 2026 | Wiesloch
January 27, 2026 | Weinheim
January 28, 2026 | Trier
January 30, 2026 | Amsterdam (NL)
To see more upcoming concerts, please click here.
Reviews
Poiesis Quartet fearlessly forges something new
“Creating something new can come with a lot of expectations. Founding an ensemble. Releasing a debut album. Recording a world premiere, or two. But whatever you might expect from the Poiesis Quartet, they want you to take them exactly as they are.” Cleveland Classical: Recording Review | October 10, 2024 by Stephanie Manning
Awards
The Poiesis Quartet is the 1st Prize and Commission Prize winners of the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition.
Watch and Listen
Final of the des Banff Competition 2025, starting at 10:30
Haydn round of the Banff Competition 2025: Session 3, starting at 1:08
New Releases
The debut CD of the Poiesis Quartet together with mezzo-soprano Nancy Maultsby was released in 2024:
“as we are” features the Poiesis Quartet and mezzo-soprano Nancy Maultsby in world premiere recordings of pieces by Clint Needham and Richard Stout. The album includes Needham’s String Quartet No. 1 Shades of Green, inspired by a summer in Aspen, and Stout’s Songs of Correspondence, setting Willa Cather’s letters to music. Poiesis Quartet’s award-winning expressive and dynamic playing, combined with Maultsby’s rich, nuanced voice, provides a captivating listening experience that bridges the worlds of music and literature.
As we are
The Banff Competition once again stands uncompromising in its choice of the string quartet that has the most to say: with immense artistry, seriousness, and vibrant playing, the Poiesis Quartet from the United States won the competition in 2025.
Listen to the musicians and take them as they are—modern, contemporary, different—this is the quartet we’ve been waiting for!
Members
Sarah Ying Ma | violin
Max Ball | violin
Jasper de Boor | viola
Drew Dansby | violoncello