The Young Eight - About Us

The Young Eight is a string octet of African American string players from The Boston Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University, The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, New England Conservatory of Music and Peabody Conservatory of Music. Founded in 2002 at the North Carolina School of the Arts by director Quinton I. Morris, the critically acclaimed octet is dedicated to exposing various communities to the arts through classical music. In the four years since its inception, The Young Eight has established itself as one of the next generation’s most dynamic and energetic chamber ensembles presenting various performances in New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, and Austin, among others.

The Young Eight performed its concert debut at the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Seattle Symphony’s Benaroya Hall in June 2003. During the stay in Seattle, The Young Eight performed live on National Public Radio, a Young Artists Concert at Seattle Symphony’s Soundbridge Discovery and Learning Center and other local radio and television stations. The Young Eight have also collaborated with guest artists, including soprano Indra Thomas, pianist, David Antony Lofton, poet, Toyia Taylor, The Providence String Quartet and composers, David N. Baker, Michael DePaul, and Earl Louis Stewart.

The octet has been recognized in various parts of the country for its dedication to children, music and education. A series of concerts, residency programs, seminars and workshops are geared towards exposing various communities to classical music around the country. The Young Eight has served as String Octet in Residence at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Currently, the octet is in residence at Huston-Tillotson College, Austin and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan. Other residency programs have included the Harlem School of the Arts, Community Music Works, First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy, and Winston-Salem State University.

Members of The Young Eight have won individual competitions, including the Sphinx Competition, performed with the nation’s top orchestras, and given solo recitals around the world. Members include Mariana Green-Hill, violin (Mannes College of Music); Kenneth L. Jarvis, violin (Indiana University); John H. Littlejohn, violin (Peabody Conservatory of Music); Quinton I. Morris, violin (The Boston Conservatory); Christopher Jenkins (Manhattan School of Music); Dawn Michelle Smith, viola (The Juilliard School); Ryan Murphy, cello (Cleveland Institute of Music); and Tahirah Whittington, cello (New England Conservatory of Music).

“The Young Eight is an energetic ensemble with particularly good blending and great warmth and sound.”
- Classical Voice of North Carolina Journal, June 2004