Viano Quartet Receives 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant

The internationally acclaimed quartet, formerly the Nina von Maltzahn String Quartet Program participants at Curtis from 2021–23, receives the prestigious grant, which is awarded to outstanding classical musicians in the early stages of their professional careers

The internationally renowned Viano Quartet (String Quartet ’23), who participated in the Nina von Maltzahn String Quartet Program at Curtis from 2021–23, and released their debut recording, PORTRAITS, through Curtis Studio, were recently announced as recipients of a 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant. Praised for their “virtuosity, visceral expression, and rare unity of intention” (Boston Globe), the quartet, featuring violinists Lucy Wang and Hao Zhou, violist Aiden Kane, and cellist Tate Zawadiuk, all 2023 Curtis graduates, are one of the most sought-after performing young ensembles today and currently in-residence at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Bowers Program from 2024–27.

The Avery Fisher Artist Program was created by the late Avery Fisher as a gift to Lincoln Center in 1974, and the program’s Avery Fisher Career Grants support exceptional instrumentalists and chamber groups who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. In addition to receiving $25,000 for career advancement, the winners will get unrestricted use of a professional recording of their performances at the award ceremony, and a custom-designed rosette as a symbol of the Career Grant. Various alumni of Curtis who have been honored with the prestigious award in the past include cellist Oliver Herbert (’19) and pianist Eric Lu (’20) in 2021; pianists Christina Naughton (’11) and Michelle Naughton (’11) in 2019; violinist Bella Hristova (’08) in 2013; pianist Jonathan Biss (’01) in 1999; violist and composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama (’96) in 1997; and violinists Hilary Hahn (’99) and Jennifer Koh (’02) in 1995; and many others.

Since soaring to international acclaim as the First Prize winner at the 13th Banff International String Quartet Competition, the Viano Quartet have traveled to cities across the globe, captivating audiences in New York, London, Berlin, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Paris, Beijing, Toronto, Lucerne, and Los Angeles.

The 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grants were announced on March 18. Read more about the announcement and other 2025 winners at The Violin Channel.

Visit the Viano Quartet’s website HERE.

Photos of the Viano Quartet courtesy of Kevin W. Condon.

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