Jessica Anthony is a Buffalo-based violinist who currently serves as concertmaster of both the Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra and the Avanti Chamber Orchestra, as well as regularly performing with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, who are based out of the Corning/Elmira area. Throughout her career, Jessica has performed with numerous ensembles, including the Binghamton Philharmonic, the Opera Ithaca orchestra, the Western New York Chamber Ensemble, the Erehwon Ensemble, and the Genesee Symphony Orchestra. 

Jessica began her musical journey at the age of 7, when she first started playing violin. An original member of the Junior Strings Ensemble, and eventually becoming concertmaster of the Youth Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, Jessica found a love for performing. She went on to study Music Performance at SUNY Fredonia, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance in 2016, and eventually served as concertmaster of the College Symphony Orchestra for two years while earning her Master’s Degree, graduating in 2018. 

Highlights of Jessica’s performance career have included sitting concertmaster for the Live United Music concert, featuring Broadway star Michael Cavanaugh; performing in the Lake Erie’s Ballet Company production of The Nutcracker, and this year will be her second year performing in both the Greater Rochester Women’s Philharmonic and participating as an orchestral and chamber musician in the MostArts Festival.

David Spring is a structural engineer-in-training and violinist based in the greater Buffalo area. He performs regularly with the Amherst Symphony Orchestra and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra, and he enjoys playing and performing chamber music wherever he can find it. 

From a very early age, David was exposed to classical, popular, and worship music through his father, a pianist and music enthusiast, who encouraged him to try playing various instruments. At age 10, David began playing violin and quickly gained an affinity for the instrument. During his secondary education, David studied violin under Buffalo Philharmonic violinist Alan Ross, and performed with the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra.

While pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, David also studied violin performance with Cleveland Institute of Music instructor Dr. Carol Ruzicka. Among David's favorite musical experiences are several student chamber groups coached by CIM and Cleveland Orchestra staff, including Bryan Dumm, Carolyn Warner, and Lisa Boyko. Throughout his studies, David also performed with Dr. Kathleen Horvath and the Case/University Circle Symphony Orchestra, and he served as concertmaster of CWRU’s Camerata Chamber orchestra, conducted by David Ellis.

Violist Lizzie Seward is a Buffalo-based musician with over 15 years of performance experience. Lizzie first began studying music at the age of 8, with lessons in violin and cello. She soon also began learning viola, where she quickly found a love for performing chamber music.

Throughout her career, Lizzie has performed a variety of musical styles with classical and contemporary ensembles. She performs regularly and has held principal positions with the Amherst Symphony Orchestra, Amherst Chamber Ensembles, and Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra. This is where she met Sam and Jess, and Equinox String Quartet was born. 

Outside of ESQ, Lizzie is a strings teacher and program coordinator for a local music education non-profit.

Lizzie attended the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a Bachelor of Science of Engineering degree in Computer Engineering and a minor in Music. She performed and studied regularly with the University Symphony Orchestra and chamber ensembles. 

Native to Buffalo, Samantha holds a Bachelors of Music from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and a Masters of Music from the University of Ottawa, both degrees with a concentration in Cello Performance. Playing now for 20 years, Sam has studied under cellists such as Roman Mekinulov, Marie-Elaine Gagnon, and Paul Marleyn. She has also played in masterclasses led by Johannes Moser, Joel Quarrington, Yosuke Kawasaki, Joel Krosnick, and Jo Cole. 

An avid chamber music and orchestral performer, Sam has played with The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and still currently plays with The Orchestra of Northern New York, and The Western New York Chamber Orchestra. Sam also plays with the Amherst Symphony Orchestra where she met her fellow colleagues and formed the string quartet Equinox. Sam has held principal positions with The Western New York Chamber Orchestra, The Crane Symphony Orchestra, The Crane Opera Ensemble, The College Light Opera Company, Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra and the Amherst Chamber Ensembles. Sam had received the prestigious National Arts Center Orchestra International Scholarship for attendance in 2019. Sam was also awarded winner of the Crane Chamber Music Competition in 2016, 2017, and 2019.

Outside of cello, Sam enjoys reading, painting, and being outdoors. She is also a singer/songwriter and producer who goes by the artist name GODDESS. Her music is heavily influenced by artists such as Adele, H.E.R., and Hozier. Samantha has released her first self titled album in January of 2024. Catch Sam playing her own original music around the Buffalo area!