Jessica Anthony is a Buffalo-based violinist with over 20 years of music performance experience. She currently serves as concertmaster of both the Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra and the Avanti Chamber Orchestra, and regularly performs with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. Throughout her career, Jessica has been performing with numerous ensembles, including the Binghamton Philharmonic, the Western New York Chamber Ensemble, the Opera Ithaca orchestra, the Erehwon Ensemble, and the Genesee Symphony Orchestra. She continues to perform every year in the Lake Erie Ballet Company’s production of The Nutcracker, participates as an orchestral and chamber musician in the MostArts Festival in Alfred, and performs in the Greater Rochester Women’s Philharmonic.

At age 7, Jessica asked her parents out of the blue to play violin, who assumed she got the idea from a cartoon. However, she persisted, and before long Jessica began violin lessons. After a few years, she became an original member of the Junior Strings Ensemble, and eventually becoming concertmaster of the Youth Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, Jessica found her love for performing. 

Jessica 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.

While being an avid orchestral and chamber music performer, Jessica has gone beyond the realm of classical music, and also enjoys playing contemporary, modern, and pop/rock covers. She has performed several times in the Live United Music concerts, presented by the Lycoming County United Way. Performing the music of Billy Joel, Elton John, and more, she’s played these concerts alongside Broadway star Michael Cavanaugh and American Idol singer Beane. Earlier this year, Jessica recorded a contemporary piece composed by Richie English, as well as performing the music of Zane Merritt at a Live Poetry Jam Session.

Outside of music, Jessica enjoys reading horror novels, playing video games, and finding other ways to be creative, whether that be baking, drawing, or making jewelry. 

David Spring is a structural engineer-in-training and violinist based in the greater Buffalo area. He performs regularly with various community orchestras, and he especially enjoys playing and performing chamber music wherever he can find it. 

From a very early age, David was exposed to many genres of 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 Orchestra 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 completed a Minor in Music, and 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 began playing string instruments at 8 years old, with lessons in violin and cello. Soon after, she started learning viola with Beth Nowak and Donna Lorenzo, where she quickly found her passion for performing orchestral and 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, Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra, and Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra. This is where she met Sam and Jess, and where Equinox String Quartet was born. 

Outside of ESQ, Lizzie works in Buffalo's nonprofit and education community. She is passionate about music education in Buffalo schools! Some of her other passion projects include visiting all 50 states and arranging contemporary pieces for string quartet.

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 of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and related 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, and is releasing a second in Spring 2026. Catch Sam playing her own original music around the Buffalo area!