The Dolphins Quartet is a string quartet and composer collective united by a belief that chamber music can be vibrant, daring, and deeply human. Trained at Juilliard and based in New York City, the quartet has gained recognition for adventurous programming, original compositions, and performances that reimagine the possibilities of quartet playing. In April 2026, they won Gold Prize and Audience Prize at the Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition, establishing their presence as a world-class ensemble in the classical music scene. Luke Henderson and Isaac Park are the violinists of the ensemble, with James Preucil on viola and Ian Maloney on the cello. 

In 2022, Luke, Ian, and James began playing together at Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival in Maine and their first performance together made quite a splash; following the performance, they were admonished for their improvisatory additions to the intermezzo from Mendelssohn’s Op. 13 quartet. Yet, playing with people bold enough to take such risks was too thrilling to walk away from, and that spirit became the foundation of the ensemble’s identity. Upon returning to NYC, their long-time friend and musical partner Isaac joined their ragtag ensemble of chaotic creatives. Encouraged to channel their creativity into original work, they composed The Dolphin Miniatures, a seven-movement piece chronicling the stories of their formative summer. The piece proved to be wildly fun, wacky, and accessible for audiences, encouraging the ensemble to continue developing their skill of collaborative composition. Each year since, the quartet has composed works blending humor, nostalgia, and storytelling, chronicling their adventures in Angel Fire, NM and the Detroit area. They have fulfilled commissions from The Juilliard School and BridgeMusik Summer Festival.

From the start, The Dolphins have been fascinated with composers whose voices are infrequently heard; the first two pieces they learned together were by Villa-Lobos and Weinberg. This openness to exploration extended to their interactions with modern composers, leading them to work with John Corigliano, Andy Akiho, and Jessie Montgomery. In April 2024, they even performed John Adams’s string quartet concerto “Absolute Jest” in David Geffen Hall with John Adams himself conducting. 

The Dolphins extended this abundance of experience composing and collaborating to their local community by forming their Young Composers Program. In its first 2 years, they workshopped, premiered, and recorded the new works of 20 students ages 11-18. They self-fundraised for the program so that it could be tuition-free for all students, eliminating any barrier to entry.

In addition to their Young Composers Program, the quartet has done extensive work in community engagement across the country and around the world. Through Project Music Heals Us, the Dolphins have worked with incarcerated composers, exploring how music can offer connection, expression, and even small moments of freedom. They have performed in schools for students of all ages from preschool through college, and they have played at numerous retirement homes. Internationally, their work with Ghetto Classics has helped to build a strong musical community in Nairobi, Kenya, giving students a unique experience that will help them to succeed in their future careers.

Whether performing at major festivals or in unconventional spaces, the Dolphins aim to create warmth, joy, and belonging. True to their name, they embody playfulness, intelligence, and a welcoming spirit wherever their music takes them. Aside from music, they can often be found playing frisbee, eating large quantities of bacon, or bowling. And yes, they can swim.