Poiesis Quartet Wins Grand Prize at Banff International String Quartet Competition

The competition offers one of the largest prizes in chamber music worth over $500,000 CAD.

BANFF, AB, CANADA AUGUST 31, 2025 – Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta, Canada and is thrilled to announce the Poiesis Quartet from Cincinnati, USA was awarded the grand prize of the 15th triennial Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC): Sarah Ying Ma (she/they) on violin, Max Ball (he/they) on violin, Jasper de Boor (they/them) on viola, and Drew Dansby (he/him) on cello.

Widely recognized as one of the most prestigious global platforms for emerging quartets, BISQC offers one of the largest prizes in chamber music—valued at over $500,000 CAD—with the potential to shape a quartet’s artistic journey in profound and transformative ways.

Competitors in the 15th Banff International String Quartet Competition travelled to Banff from their home bases in Asia, Europe, and North America, with players hailing from 14 different countries.

This year’s edition was one of the most competitive in the competition’s four-decade history. Nine extraordinary quartets from across the world presented dynamic programs curated from extensive repertoire lists designed to highlight their individuality and versatility. The rounds included the 21st Century Haydn Round, Romantic Round, Canadian Commission Round, and Beethoven/Schubert + 20th Century Round. The week culminated in the Finals Round wherein three finalists played a program of their own curation.

Competition jury members include Marie Chilemme, Jonathan Crow, Eugene Drucker, Honggang Li, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Eckart Runge, and David Ying.

1st Place Laureates: Poiesis Quartet is awarded a custom-designed, three-year artistic and career development program which includes:

• $25,000 CAD cash prize;
• Winner’s Concert Tours in career-building markets across North America with MKI Artists and Europe with Kozertdirektion Hamplin, arranged by Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity;
• A two-week residency at Banff Centre including a recording produced by Banff Centre;
• Coaching, career guidance, and mentorship;
• Southern Methodist University Peak Fellowship Ensemble-in-Residence Prize which includes a one-year paid visiting residency at the Meadows School involving performances, coaching, and mentorship, valued at over $110,000 CAD;
• A residency with the Esterházy Foundation, including concerts at Haydn Hall in Eisenstadt and the Lucerne Festival;
• An opportunity for a two-week Chamber Music Residency at the prestigious Britten Pears Arts in England.

2nd Place Laureates: Arete Quartet

• $12,000 CAD cash prize;
• A creative residency at Banff Centre including coaching and mentorship opportunities.

3rd Place Laureates: Quartet KAIRI

• $8,000 CAD cash prize;
• A creative residency at Banff Centre including coaching and mentorship opportunities.

The R.S. Williams & Sons Haydn Prize: Quartet KAIRI 

• $4,000 for the best performance of a quartet by Haydn quartet from Round 1.

The Canadian Commission Prize, in honour of the R.S. Williams & Sons Company: Poiesis Quartet

• $4,000 for the best performance in Round 3 of the newly commissioned quartet by Kati Agócs.

The DC Anderson Family Foundation: Viatores Quartet
•   In partnership with The Grenadines Initiative: an all-expenses paid 10-day residency and outreach opportunity 

Christine and David Anderson Career Development Prizes: Cong Quartet, Quatuor Elmire, Quartett HANA, Quatuor Magenta, Nerida Quartet, Viatores Quartet

• In recognition of the extraordinary level of artistry that BISQC attracts, all quartets not advancing to the finals will receive a $5,000 CAD prize to support their emerging careers.

Established in 1983 as part of Banff Centre’s 50th anniversary, BISQC is a major celebration of chamber music in a festival format that attracts enthusiastic audiences for sold-out performances.

Past winners of BISQC include the Isidore String Quartet (USA, 2022); Marmen Quartet and Viano Quartet (2019); Rolston Quartet (2016); Dover Quartet (USA, 2013); Cecilia String Quartet (Canada, 2010); Tinalley String Quartet (Australia, 2007); Jupiter String Quartet (USA, 2004); Daedalus Quartet (USA, 2001); Miró Quartet (USA, 1998) and, St. Lawrence String Quartet (Canada, 1992).

Thank you to all our generous supporters and endowments that make this competition possible.

For photos, information or interview requests, please contact: 

Carly Maga 
Director, Communications 
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity 
tel: +1.403.763.6210 
cell: +1.403.431.3423 
carly_maga@banffcentre.ca 

About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity  
Founded in 1933, Banff Centre is a post-secondary institution built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and leadership development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become a global organization leading in arts, culture, and creative decision-making across dozens of disciplines, from the fine arts to Indigenous Wise Practices. From our home in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to move everyone who attends our campus - artists, leaders, thinkers, and audiences - to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to build an innovative, inspiring future through education, performances, convenings, and public outreach. banffcentre.ca