Juna String Quartet

Archie Freeman        Violin

Nina Doig                   Violin

Estelle Gonzalez       Viola

Elena Edwards          Cello

The Juna Quartet are a Manchester based ensemble currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music. Since forming in 2022, they have enjoyed playing various recitals both within college and externally and won both the Hirsch Prize in 2023 with their performance of Beethoven’s Opus 18 No 1, and the Elias Prize in 2024 with compositions written by their violist and cellist.

The group receive coaching from the Elias Quartet and have performed alongside them in concerts; one of which was during their residency at the Wye Valley Chamber Music Festival in Summer 2024. They chose the name ‘Juna’ for its multitude of meanings in various languages (including courage, gentleness, and woodland), and to appreciate the word as a woman’s name. Audiences often comment on the bubbly dynamic of the ensemble, and the friendship which they keep at the heart of their music making.

Violinists, Archie Freeman and Nina Doig, both study with Leland Chen at the RNCM. Archie comes from Sussex and is an alumnus of the National Youth Orchestra, whilst Nina grew up in Scotland, where she studied at both the Juniors course at the Royal Conservatoire and the Music School of Douglas Academy. Violist, Estelle Gonzalez, is from Lewisham in South-East London and studies under Lucy Nolan, a member of the esteemed Elbana String Trio. Cellist, Elena Edwards, comes from Marple and studies with Edvard Pogossian.

The Juna String Quartet perform with permission from the Royal Northern College of Music