Lex Gu, Claire Kwark, Karissa Thai, and Alexander Earl

The Al Fine string quartet is formed by the North Carolina Chamber Music Institute (NCCMI) under the direction of Elizabeth Beilman. The quartet comprises four talented musicians, including Lex Gu and Claire Kwark on violin, Karissa Thai on viola, and Alexander Earl on cello. All members of the Al Fine string quartet have experience of 8+ years playing their respective instruments while additionally having a minimum of 3 years of chamber music experience. In addition to being members of Al Fine, Lex Gu and Karissa Thai have also showcased their musical talents separately, as recent performers at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Claire Kwark has also won the 2022 Raleigh Music Club Junior Strings competition, demonstrating her exceptional skill and dedication as a violinist. Alexander has also been recognized for his excellence in acting, having won a National Excellence Award in Acting. This achievement is particularly impressive considering that he was one of 6,900 actors present from 125 acting troupes.

You can find the quartet’s 2023 Winter Music Competition performance here.