Meet Franklin Quartet’s violinist, Marika Holmqvist:

Over the course of three decades, Grammy-nominated Baroque violinist, violist, and viola d’amore specialist Marika Holmqvist has served as concertmaster for orchestras and opera companies on three continents. In addition, she has directed ensembles across Europe and North America and has served as artistic co-director for American ensembles such as Sinfonia New York and Cambridge Concentus. Currently her leadership positions include Washington Bach Consort (DC), Reykjavik International Baroque Orchestra (Iceland), Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra and Fort Wayne Bach Collegium (IN), Zenith Ensemble (NH), and Philadelphia based MIRYAM, among others. Marika is a dedicated and passionate educator, and has served as coach and guest leader for baroque operas at Cornell, Harvard and Rutgers Universities, and given master-classes and lectures at institutions across Europe. Alongside her master’s degree in baroque violin performance from the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague in the Netherlands, she graduated with a master’s in baroque violin pedagogy—the first such degree ever granted in Europe. A founding member of Philadelphia’s Franklin Quartet, she has contributed to 28 recordings, including several internationally award-winning releases that showcase her passion and versatility as a specialist on the global Early Music scene. She has a Finn’s love for the outdoors and when she is not performing or teaching, you will most likely find her cross-country skiing, hiking, kayaking, or biking.