• Concerts
• Programme One
• Programme Two
• Kaitaia

10 - 21 March 2012 VIEW TOUR GUIDE

ARTISTS: Tom Norris (violin), Ellie Fagg (violin), Julia Joyce (viola), Andrew Joyce (cello)

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The Puertas Quartet was formed in 2009, and features New Zealander Julia Joyce (née McCarthy) on viola as well as her husband, Andrew Joyce, who was recently appointed to the position of Principal Cello in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Another married couple complete the group, English violinists Tom Norris and Ellie Fagg.

Julia Joyce is well-known to New Zealand audiences, having toured previously for Chamber Music New Zealand with acclaimed pianist John Chen. She returned to New Zealand to take up the Principal Violist position with the NZSO after completing her Master’s Degree in Violin/Viola Performance with Distinction at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Julia’s husband Andrew has performed with the London Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as Guest Principal with the Northern Sinfonia, Bournemouth Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestras. Ellie was a foundation scholar at the Royal College of Music, where she graduated with first class honours in 2005. Tom studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and is a principal member of the London Symphony Orchestra.

“People often ask us what it’s like to be two married couples in a string quartet and usually comment, somewhat drily, that it must be difficult at times”, says cellist Andrew Joyce. “Actually, for us it’s been quite the opposite!  You could say it feels almost like a duet at times and as we live on opposite sides of the world, this has its advantages. We are able to prepare pieces in pairs, which enables us to put big programmes together very quickly when we meet as a quartet”.

Within just six months of their formation, the Puertas Quartet reached the semi-finals of the International Bordeaux String Quartet Competition, being the only British quartet to do so. The ensemble was invited to perform as 'quartet in residence' for the 2010 Hendon Music Festival and for music societies across the UK. They have studied with such eminent musicians as Eric Hobarth, Lorand Fenyves, Andras Keller, Rainer Schmidt, Walter Levin, the Alban Berg, Brodsky, Chilingirian, Takács, Kopelman, Lindsay and Fitzwilliam Quartets and the Israel Piano Trio.

THE PUERTAS QUARTET HAVE ADDED 2 CONCERTS IN ADDITION TO THEIR CHAMBER MUSIC NEW ZEALAND LOCATIONS BELOW:
Auckland, Tuesday 20th March, 7.30pm @ Rannoch, 77 Almorah Road, Epsom

Wellington, Friday 23rd March, 7.30pm @ St Mary of the Angels Church, 17 Boulcott Street

When & Where

Date	Programme	Time	Venue	Centre
10 March 12	Programme Two	7.30pm	Prince Edward Auditorium, Wanganui Collegiate	Whanganui
11 March 12	Programme Two	2.30pm	Waikanae Memorial Hall	Waikanae
12 March 12	Programme Two	7.30pm	Wallace Gallery	Morrinsville
14 March 12	Programme One	7.30pm	Chanel Arts Centre	Motueka
16 March 12	Programme One	6.30pm	Church of The Nativity	Blenheim
18 March 12	Kaitaia	2pm	The Little Theatre, Te Ahu Complex	Kaitaia
21 March 12	Programme Two	7.30pm	St Andrew's Church	Gisborne