Three musicians join existing violinist Muneko Otani in the ensemble, including the return of founding violinist Laura Goldberg
The Cassatt Quartet has announced personnel changes during its 2025-26 season. Three members, violinist Jennifer Leshnower, violist Emily Brandenburg and cellist Gwen Krosnick have departed the group since autumn 2025.
Violinist Muneko Otani remains in the ensemble, having served for 38 of the group’s 40 years. She will be joined by returning violinist Laura Goldberg, who was a founding member of the ensemble, and performed with the group for its first decade.
Goldberg played with the Cassatt Quartet when the ensemble earned prizes at Fischoff, Coleman, and Banff Competitions, held residencies at Tanglewood, Caramoor, Juilliard, Yale, and performed internationally.
Amy Galluzzo joins as the quartet’s new violist. Galluzzo was a member of the Carpe Diem Quartet and is a member of Trio Flamecrest.
Yi Qun Xu joins as the quartet’s new cellist. Xu has enjoyed numerous competition successes, including the 2022 Presser Music Award and first prizewinner of the 2021 New York International Artists Cello Competition, and has performed across the US as soloist and chamber musician.
The departing members will be pursuing new aspects of their careers. Leshnower will focus on her career as a violinist and in the broader field of arts and non-profit administration, while Krosnick will focus on cello performance, recording and teaching, as well as working as founder/artistic director of the Westchester NY chapter of the non-profit, Music for Food.
Violist Emily Brandenburg joined the group in 2024 and expressed gratitude for the past year with the Cassatt Quartet: ’Our collaborations with composers, guest musicians, and presenters have been truly inspiring, and they are memories I will carry with me throughout my career. I look forward with great enthusiasm to the many joyful musical endeavors I have planned for the coming year and beyond.’
The Cassatt Quartet was formed in 1985 by violinists Adela Pena and Laura Goldberg, violist Eufrosina Raileanu, and cellist Anna Cholakian. Violinist Otani joined the quartet in 1987.
In autumn 2025, the quartet was in residence at Bowdoin and Williams colleges and the Cassatt in the Basin programme in West Texas. It also performed in Maine as part of the Seal Bay Festival of American Chamber Music.
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