The Florida State University College of Music has long been recognized for producing world-class performers. However, a growing priority within the College is bridging the gap between the concert hall and the local community. One face of this effort is the Carriola Quartet, a unique ensemble of graduate string performance majors dedicated to bringing classical music directly to classrooms and community venues.
Founded in 2018 by former FSU violin professor Corinne Stillwell in partnership with the Sinfonia Gulf Coast in Destin, FL, the group provides interactive concert experiences for audiences in area schools and assisted living facilities, and coaches young string players in the Sinfonia Gulf Coast Youth Orchestra.
The 2025–2026 season featured a cohort of talented graduate students who share a passion for this mission: Catherine Yara, violin; İlayda İlbaş, violin; Noel Medford, viola; and Turner Sperry, cello.
The Quartet balances traditional artistry with dedication to educational outreach – rather than just playing at their audiences, the quartet guides them through an interactive, active-listening experience, including:
- Instrument Introductions: Demonstrating the unique physical traits and tonal qualities of the violin, viola, and cello.
- Deconstructing Composition: Introducing specific composers and teaching students how to identify distinct musical techniques within a piece.
- Emotional Connection: Prompting students to share how the music makes them feel or what visual imagery—like specific colors or landscapes—it brings to mind.
In addition to playing their instruments and bringing music to the masses, members also take on the administrative logistics of running a chamber group—from booking rehearsal spaces and managing client communication to advertising and scripting educational programs.
“It’s been an interesting challenge to restructure my very traditional performance mindset into this more outreach/educational mindset,” Sperry notes.
For Sperry, an additional layer of meaning in the Carriola Quartet experience comes from finding a shared purpose with his peers.
“Most musicians hope to find a chamber group they can thrive in, but it’s difficult to find peers that have similar interests,” Sperry reflects. “Carriola allows this to happen: four musicians dedicated to their craft who are passionate about community outreach.”
“I love rehearsing with the group, refining details in our music or script for the schools, traveling and getting to know each other more, and ultimately building a relationship as a group that goes beyond the realm of FSU,” continues Sperry. “Carriola allows four musicians dedicated to their craft, who are passionate about community outreach, to work closely together and create something special to share with future generations.”
