Formed in early 2024 at the Royal Academy of Music, the Karelia Quartet brings together violinists Emil Hartikainen and Megan Yang, violist Felix Pascoe, and cellist Daniel Schultz. The ensemble has rapidly distinguished itself through the depth of its musical insight, a commitment to thoughtful and imaginative programming, and a growing presence on major chamber music platforms. In recognition of their artistic promise, they were selected as Kirckman Concert Society Artists for the 2026–27 season, joining a distinguished lineage of leading young chamber ensembles and undertaking a series of performances across the United Kingdom. They have also been chosen as one of the ensembles for the MERITAcubed program (2026–29), participating in an international cycle of performances and collaborative projects across Europe.

Their achievements to date include First Prize at the Nina Drucker String Quartet Competition (2025), First Prize at the Historical Women’s Composer Competition (2025), First Prize at the Wolfe Wolfinsohn String Quartet Competition (2024), and Second Prize at the CAVATINA Chamber Music Competition at Wigmore Hall (2025). Recent highlights include performances for His Majesty King Charles III at St James’s Palace and for Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Wellington at Apsley House, invitation to continue intensive studies with Prof. Günter Pichler (Primarius Alban Berg Quartet) at Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofia (Sep 2026), alongside recording projects at the VOCES8 Centre in London.

Internationally, the quartet has participated in a number of prestigious festivals, academies, and residencies, including the Danish String Quartet Academy and the 2024 Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, where they were awarded the Oleg Kagan Memorial Fund Scholarship. They have also held a residency with the Hasdrubal Foundation in Hammamet, Tunisia, and taken part in an intensive chamber music course in Conzano, Italy, working closely with Daniel Roberts (Founder - Castalian String Quartet) and Simon Rowland-Jones.

The Karelia Quartet works closely under the mentorship of Alex Redington (former first violinist - Doric String Quartet), Robin Wilson, and Sini Simonen (former first violinist - Castalian String Quartet), and has received further guidance in masterclasses with distinguished artists including Günter Pichler, Anthony Marwood, Alasdair Tait and Lawrence Power. Selected as ECMA Aspirants for 2025–27, the ensemble participates in collaborative sessions across Europe, further developing its artistic profile and international partnerships. Forthcoming appearances in the 2026/7 season include debuts at leading chamber venues such as King’s Place, Conway Hall, performances as festival artists; 2026 Winchester Chamber Music Festival (UK), Großraming Festival (Austria), Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival (Finland), Kirker Concerts (UK) and a curated residency at Ferrandou Musique (France).