Formed in early 2024 at the Royal Academy of Music, the Karelia Quartet brings together violinists Megan Yang and Emil Hartikainen (who joined the ensemble in 2025), violist Felix Pascoe and cellist Daniel Schultz. The quartet has quickly established itself as a dynamic young ensemble with a distinctive artistic voice and a deep commitment to thoughtful, meaningful interpretation.
The group has worked closely under the mentorship of Alex Redington, former first violin of the Doric String Quartet, Robin Wilson, Professor of Violin at the Royal Academy of Music, and Sini Simonen, first violin of the Castalian String Quartet. They have also received regular guidance in masterclasses from leading artists including Anthony Marwood and Lawrence Power. Their musical achievements have been recognised with numerous awards, including First Prize at the Nina Drucker String Quartet Competition (2025), First Prize at the Historical Women's Composer Competition (2025), First Prize at the Wolfe Wolfinsohn String Quartet Competition (2024), and Second Prize at both the 2025 CAVATINA Chamber Music Competition at Wigmore Hall and the 2024 Nina Drucker String Quartet Competition.
Highlights of the quartet's recent activities include performances for His Majesty King Charles III at St James's Palace and for Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Wellington at Apsley House, as well as recording at the VOCES8 Centre in London.
Internationally, the Karelia Quartet has participated in a number of prestigious festivals and courses. These include the Danish String Quartet Academy and the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival in Finland, where they were awarded the Oleg Kagan Memorial Fund Scholarship. They have also undertaken a residency with the Hasdrubal Foundation in Hammamet, Tunisia, and participated in an intensive chamber music course in Conzano, Italy, working with Daniel Roberts of the Castalian Quartet and violist Simon Rowland-Jones.
Looking ahead, the quartet will take part in a masterclass with Günter Pichler through ProQuartet in Paris, perform at the Winchester Chamber Music Festival, and appear as festival artists at the 2026 Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival. They will also undertake a curated residency in 2026 at Ferrandou Musique in France. Selected as ECMA Aspirants for 2025–26, they will participate in sessions across Europe, including in The Hague, Munich and Manchester. The ensemble will also make debuts at several UK venues, including Conway Hall as part of the 2025–26 season.