GRIOT
STRING
QUARTET
WE TELL THE STORY
“The performance exuded love and presence and solidarity” - KC Studio
“A joyful rendition of the Allegro from Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s String Quartet No. 1.” - Cleveland Classical
“Each piece felt equally meaningful as the last, both musically and contextually — making for a memorable start to Black History Month.” - Cleveland Classical
Founded by Damien Sneed and LeChateau Entertainment, the Griot String Quartet is an ensemble of young professional classical musicians who inspire a new perspective that challenges the assumption of what classical music looks like. Touring throughout the United States, recent highlights include Washington Performing Arts and CAAPA, Harriman-Jewell Series, Tuesday Musical Association, and Sunflower Performing Arts. They have performed at the John F. Kennedy Center, Jay & Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, Folly Theater, Wellin Hall, EJ Thomas Performing Arts Hall, and gave a special performance lecture at the historical Howard University alongside Damien Sneed and Jacqueline Echols. The Griot String Quartet has shared the stage with famous opera singers including Raehann Bryce-Davis, Amanda Bottoms, Raven McMillon, Jacqueline Echols, Janinah Burnett, and Justin Austin.
Quartet MEMBERS
DR. AMYR JOYNER | VIOLIN
Dr. Amyr Joyner is a professional violinist and music instructor based in the wider Baltimore-D.C. area with vast experience performing solo, chamber, and orchestral music. He have performed extensively throughout the United States and abroad, and at major music centers in the country including Carnegie Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, the Harris Theater, the Hippodrome Theater, Grant Park Stage, and the Music Center at Strathmore. Amyr is versed in classical, jazz, and popular music improvisation.
BOUBACAR DIALLO | CELLO
Boubacar Diallo is an African- American cellist based in New York City. Being a native to the city, Boubacar has been privileged to study at some of the city’s finest institutions, including Special Music School at Kaufman Music Center and Mannes Pre-College. He also was a member of Face The Music, an organization dedicated to the study and performance of contemporary music, and the New York Youth Symphony Chamber Program. He has performed in venues including Carnegie Hall, The National Opera Center, and the UN climate summit in Paris, France. Some of his primary teachers have been Annie Barley Givler, Micheal Finckel, Alex Croxton, Tomoko Fujita and Fred Sherry. He is the recipient of the Eastman Artist Scholarship, and serves as a Resident Advisor for the on- campus student community. Additionally, he is a fellow at the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra in Ithaca, NY. Boubacar plays on a fine contemporary cello by David Caron, graciously on loan to him from the Virtu Foundation.
JUSTUS ROSS | VIOLIN
Justus Ross completed his Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance at Texas Tech University under Professor Annie Chalex Boyle. During his studies at Texas Tech University, Justus became the first prize winner of the Texas Tech University String Concerto Competition in 2016; a national finalist in the MTNA Chamber Music Competition in 2017; and received second prize in the ENKOR International Chamber Music Competition in 2017. In the season of 2018-2019 Justus was the assistant concertmaster of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. He also performed in the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, The Myrska Trio, and other various small ensembles in the West Texas area.
EDWARD W. HARDY | VIOLA
For inquiries and bookings: LeChateauEntertainment@gmail.com
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