Pirasteh/Kraines/Rice/Ferdowsi

Thomas Kraines, a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School, has gained renown as a versatile cellist, composer, and teacher. In addition to the Daedalus Quartet, he performs often with his wife, violinist Juliette Kang, with the Philadelphia-based Network for New Music, the Arcana Ensemble, and the improvisatory ensembles Great Blue Heron and Basquiat Blues. Kraines’ solo cello and chamber compositions have been heard around the country. He has performed his own works in collaboration with artists such as Awadagin Pratt, Mimi Stillman, Maria Jette, Ilana Davidson, and Kinan Abou-afach. He currently teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife Juliette, and daughters Rosalie and Clarissa.

Melinda Rice is a person invested in creating space for music in community. Her string ensemble has performed music in collaboration with the film and anime clubs on…