The Cadentia Piano Quartet are a group of four friends who love to share their passion for classical music. Formed in 2024 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Academy, its members include Avery Armstrong (piano, 11), Colin Breshears (viola, 12), Calliope Smith (violin, 13), and Daniel Wang (cello, 12). They are coached by acclaimed pianist Rose Chen. Cadentia’s name, the Latin root of “cadence,” reflects the group’s belief that the beauty of any piece of music, no matter how long or complex, begins with attention to a single musical phrase. Cadentia will be performing their first full-length recital as a quartet early in 2025.
On an individual basis, the members of Cadentia have soloed with a variety of orchestras and won prizes in multiple competitions, including, among others, the Fischoff Competition, the Pacific Musical Society & Foundation Competition, the American Soloist International Music Competition, the KAMSA Competition, the Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition, the ENKOR Competition, the American Virtuoso International Competition, and the Chicago International Music Competition. They have attended festivals such as Music@Menlo, Heifetz Institute Junior, Center Stage Strings, and Morningside Music Bridge.
