The Cerus Quartet steps into the spotlight this summer as featured artists-in-residence with Classical IPR’s Sound Garden Project.
From June 24 to 26, they are offering a series of free pop-up concerts and performances throughout Frankfort and northern Michigan.
The group derives its name from Greek mythology. Cerus, a wild bull, is calmed by the goddess Persephone. It's a story of "chaos tamed into beauty," mirroring the quartet's vision to "reimagine the saxophone" as an expressive instrument central to 21st-century classical music.
Cerus has quickly built a national reputation. In 2025, they claimed Grand Prize at the Concert Artists Guild Competition and recently earned the Gold Medal at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
They are also previous MTNA National Chamber Music Competition winners and First Prize and Michigan Prize winners of the 2023 Briggs Chamber Music Competition.
Here are some of the IPR Sound Garden concerts you can attend:
- Tuesday, June 24 at 1 PM — Pop-up concert, downtown Frankfort
- Wednesday, June 25 at 1 PM — Pop-up concert, downtown Frankfort
- Thursday, June 26 at 7 PM — Full concert, Oliver Art Center (reserve free tickets here)
Hear from the artists themselves in interviews with hosts Nancy Deneen and Scott Clemens. Click "Listen" below. New conversations with all 4 Cerus Quartet members coming soon.
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As soprano saxophonist of the Cerus Quartet, Roberto Campa is completing his D.M.A. at the University of Michigan, where he also teaches saxophone and champions new music by composers like Jennifer Higdon and Ryan Lindveit.
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Laura Ramsay is a saxophonist and educator originally from Bergenfield, NJ. She plans to begin her master's degree in saxophone performance at the University of Michigan this fall, and is the alto saxophonist of Cerus Quartet.
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Originally from Diamond Bar, CA, Kyle Kato has received the 2nd prize in the 2024 Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition, and holds a B. M. in Saxophone performance from the University of Michigan where he is currently pursuing his master's degrees in saxophone performance and chamber music. Kyle currently is the tenor saxophonist of the Cerus Quartet.
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Samuel Dishon is the baritone saxophonist of the Cerus Quartet. Originally from Irvine, CA, Samuel has performed with various University of Michigan ensembles, and is currently pursuing master’s degrees in saxophone performance and chamber music from the University of Michigan and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship and Leadership.
