The Spruce Quartet is a classical string quartet based in DC, and available to perform in the DC-Baltimore Metro Area. We are classical musicians trained in conservatories across the country and regularly perform with orchestras and chamber groups in the DC area. Between the four of us we have over 40 years of experience performing at weddings and gigs. We hope to take our decades of top level classical music experience to elevate your wedding or event with live music of the highest caliber.
FAQ
What kind of music does the quartet play?
The Spruce Quartet can play almost any genre of music. There are fantastic string quartet arrangements of pop music Top 40 hits and beyond, a style recently popularized by the Netflix show “Bridgerton”. See our Song List page for examples. If you don’t see a song you want on the list, just ask! We can find arrangements for almost any song. We also play a wide repertoire of classical music, and can recommend timeless classics for wedding processionals and bridal marches. Lastly, we have an album of Christmas music that is the perfect accompaniment for a holiday party!
Can I hire a string trio, duo, or solo musician?
While we recommend the full ensemble of the string quartet, we can also provide smaller piece chamber groups, including trio, duo, or solo musician. These rates will be lower, but hiring the full quartet offers a discount as many of our arrangements are for four players.
What equipment will the quartet need on the day of the event?
For most indoor events and small outdoor events, the quartet will only need four chairs set up in the location where you’d like us to play. Our instruments are relatively loud (though we can play softer for intimate spaces), and generally natural acoustics are sufficient for your guests to hear us well. For large outdoor spaces, we will need amplification (i.e. lapel or clip-on condenser mics connected to a speaker system). We are happy to coordinate with your DJ / audio techs to find the right setup for your event.
Is it worth the money to hire a string quartet?
Absolutely! While pre-recorded music may fit the bill for low-key parties, having a live string quartet for your wedding or event will elevate it to much higher level. For weddings, it’s hard to describe the feeling of hearing a string quartet as you walk down the aisle. If you want to make your special moment feel truly magical, our music will make you feel like you’re living in a great romantic movie. We constantly see guests amazed by the classiness of seeing four professional classical musicians playing together live at a high level of musicality, and we’ve been featured in many guest’s instagram/social media post for that day!
Spruce Quartet Members
Cello
Emily Cornett is a freelance cellist and social worker for Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition in Washington, D.C. She has performed in ensembles including the Anchorage Symphony and the 12-cello rock band Low Strung. Emily holds a B.A. in American Studies and Psychology from Yale University and a Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.
Nicholas Bobbs is professional violist based in Arlington, VA. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Nicholas has been in over a dozen ensembles including the Symphony New Hampshire and is currently in the DC Chamber Orchestra and subs for the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. Nicholas also plays piano and guitar, and comes from a family of eight classical musician siblings.
Viola
Violin
Ben Goloff, violin, lives in Washington D.C. where he runs campaigns to speed the end of the fossil fuel era and advance climate justice. Ben is an avid chamber music player and performer. Originally from New York City, Ben studied violin primarily with Harumi Rhodes, Mihaela Ganea, Rebecca Fischer, Beverly Shin, and Min-Young Kim. He received extensive orchestral and chamber music training through the New York Youth Symphony, Greenwood Music Camp, Swarthmore College (where he also served as concertmaster), and at the University of Oxford.
Eugene Kim, violin, is a native of Washington DC and serves as concertmaster of the DC Concert Orchestra. When he isn’t managing technology projects for UNCF, he enjoys teaching violin, playing chamber music, and performing with local rock bands Rock Creek Kings and Misil Stereo. He lives in Alexandria with his cat Penelope.
Spruce Quartet 