Nathalie Joachim
Nathalie Joachim is a Grammy nominated flutist, composer, and vocalist. The Brooklyn born Haitian-American artist is hailed for being “a fresh and invigorating cross-cultural voice” (The Nation ). She is co-founder of the critically acclaimed urban art pop duo, Flutronix, and comfortably navigates everything from classical to indie-rock, all while advocating for social change and cultural awareness. Her authenticity has gained her the reputation of being “powerful and unpretentious” (The New York Times ).

As a composer, she is regularly commissioned to write for instrumental and vocal artists, dance, and interdisciplinary theater, each highlighting her unique electroacoustic style. Upcoming works include Discourse, an evening-length performance, community engagement and social change initiative commissioned by Carolina Performing Arts; new solo instrumental works for cellist Seth Parker Woods and violinist Yvonne Lam; and larger scale chamber works for So Percussion, Lorelei Ensemble and Duo Noire. Fanm d’Ayiti, Joachim’s evening-length work for flute, voice, string quartet and electronics, celebrates Haitian female artists and Joachim’s heritage. Grammy-nominated for Best World Music Album, the work is currently touring with Spektral Quartet, and is available on New Amsterdam Records.

Joachim is Director of Contemporary Chamber Music at the Perlman Music Program; a guest teaching artist for The Juilliard-Nord Anglia Performing Arts Programme; has held faculty positions at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and The Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program; and is the former flutist of contemporary chamber ensemble Eighth Blackbird.

Spektral Quartet
Multi-Grammy award nominees, the Spektral Quartet actively pursues a vivid conversation between exhilarating works of the past and the extraordinary works of today. With The New York Times writing that, “they have everything: a supreme technical command that seems to come easily, a capacity to make complicated music clear, and, most notably...an ability to cast a magic spell”, Spektral Quartet is regarded as one of the boldest ensembles working today. 

Invited to take the stage at notable venues such as the Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, American Academy in Rome, and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, the quartet is also in demand for residencies at leading music schools around the country including Stanford University, New World Symphony, and Northwestern University. Distinguished by its stylistic versatility, Spektral Quartet enjoys collaborations with artists such as Theaster Gates, Miguel Zenón, and Nathalie Joachim, and frequently commissions new work from composers including Augusta Read Thomas, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, and George Lewis.

Named “Chicagoans of the Year 2017” by the Chicago Tribune, the quartet is proud to serve as Ensemble-in-Residence at the University of Chicago’s Department of Music.