March 27, 2026
The Canelé Quartet
The Butler School of Music's student ensemble, the Canelé String Quartet, earned second place at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Chamber Music Competition, held this year in Chicago.
Comprised of violinists Zichuan Wang and Summer Bradshaw, violist Yusong Zhao, and cellist Selina Xu, the quartet distinguished itself among top student ensembles from across the country.
For the national finals, the group performed String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 by Antonín Dvořák, often referred to as the “American” Quartet, and String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5 by Ludwig van Beethoven.
The quartet is coached by William Fedkenheuer, a faculty member at Butler and a member of the Miró Quartet. Under his mentorship, the ensemble has developed a unified sound and artistic voice that propelled them to second place nationally.
William Fedkenheuer, faculty member at Butler and member of the Miró Quartet
Beyond their success on stage, the quartet also embraced their time in Chicago, famously known as the “Windy City.” Coming from Austin, the students noted the brisk temperatures as a sharp contrast to the Texas warmth, and confirmed that Chicago lives up to its windy reputation. Despite the chill, they described the experience as overwhelmingly positive, pointing to the warmth and support of the competition organizers and fellow participants.
Canelé Quartet standing in front of the famous Cloud Gate sculpture
The MTNA Chamber Music Competition is one of the most prestigious student competitions in the United States, drawing top collegiate ensembles nationwide. Earning second place at the national level marks a significant milestone for the Canelé String Quartet and highlights the Butler School of Music’s chamber music program.