The Sugar Ridge Quartet, founded in 1999 and based in Charlottesville, Virginia, honors the great tradition of the string quartet while also taking the genre in some new directions. They play the standard classical and baroque repertoire, but they also play some music not usually associated with a string quartet. A typical set might include their own arrangements of traditional Irish tunes, jazz pieces, and original music, in addition to a Mozart quartet and a movement from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

All of the members of the Sugar Ridge Quartet had ventured beyond the classical realm in other pursuits before coming together to form this dynamic group. Jennifer Deal, 1st violin, handles the toughest job in the quartet with ease. She can also be heard playing around town and on CD with her acoustic folk group Awake and Dreaming, with whom she sings harmony as well as playing violin.

Pete Vigour, 2nd violin, has been well-known in the area for many years as a teacher and performer of traditional old-time music on fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and hammered dulcimer. His old-time string band, Uncle Henry's Favorites, has been performing in the Charlottesville area since 1985. He is equally at ease playing Bach as he is playing fiddle tunes, and can even been heard around town playing jazz saxophone. Pete does much of the arranging and composing in the group.

Mike Dunn, viola, and Peter Markush, cello, have both played with various singer songwriters and acoustic folk groups in town. Mike is as proficient in Irish music as he is in classical music, and Peter played bass guitar in rock bands for many years before switching back to his first instrument, the cello. Peter also performs around town as his alter-ego, Mark Rock, with his "acoustic sillypop" band the Marzaks. Peter contributes some compositions to the group as well.

The Sugar Ridge Quartet has played weddings, private parties, and special public events. For an elegant musical experience that only a string quartet can provide, consider including the Sugar Ridge Quartet when planning your next special occasion. For booking information or a demonstration CD, contact us via the contact page.