Formed in 2024, the Neruda Quartet is a dynamic, young string quartet based in London, comprising of students from the Royal Academy of Music. The quartet quickly established itself as a prominent ensemble within the Academy’s vibrant musical community after being selected as Tillett Debut artists for the 2026/28 season. The Neruda Quartet was also chosen to represent the Royal Academy of Music at the First International Orchestral and Chamber Music Symposium in Tianjin, China — an event that brought together ensembles from leading institutions around the world. This was amongst other opportunities such as recording for Academy Alumni Elton John.

Drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical traditions, the Neruda Quartet is committed to exploring both the core string quartet repertoire and lesser-known works, with a focus on developing a distinctive and communicative voice. With guidance from a variety of professors and chamber coaches at the Academy, the ensemble continues to refine its artistry and expand its repertoire through regular performances and collaborations.

The quartet takes its name from Wilma Neruda, the pioneering 19th-century violinist known for her trailblazing career and influential role in the development of chamber music performance. Her legacy as a musician and advocate for women in classical music continues to inspire the quartet’s artistic vision.

Adriana Bec

Adriana Bec, age 19, is a Romanian-American violinist who began studying violin at the age of four. She is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London where she is a student of Remus Azoitei. Some of the highlights of her first year at the Academy include winning the David Martin/Florence Hooton Concerto Prize and performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto alongside John Wilson with the Academy Symphony Orchestra. For this performance, Adriana played the 1694 ‘Rutson’ Stradivarius on generous loan from the Academy. The Guardian called her performance of the Tchaikovsky a “hair-raising ride” and told readers to “watch for the name.” Previously, Adriana studied with Charles Castleman and has participated in masterclasses with Vilde Frang, Ray Chen, Augustin Hadelich, Angelo Xiang Yu, Dmitry Sitkovesky, Pavel Vernikov, and Svetlana Makarova. Adriana plays on a beautiful 1724 ‘Abergavenny’ Stradivarius True Copy commissioned from Florian Leonhard Fine Violins.

Mark

Born in Hong Kong in 2005, Mark is currently in his first year of studying for the Bachelor degree in the Royal Academy of Music with the aid of a scholarship, and with Joshua Fisher and Jon Thorne as his violin and viola professors respectively. In the last year, he has performed concerts in the Winchester Cathedral, and in Lucca, Italy, as part of the Virtuoso & Belcanto music festival.

Ever since his first violin lesson at the age of 5, Mark has shown passion and talent in music making, while also entering and achieving results in myriad competitions. Although viola was his second instrument, he also obtained distinction in both performance diplomas in 2019. Afterwards in 2020, he moved to the UK in search for more music education. Mark was the concertmaster for the symphony orchestra and senior strings chamber orchestra in the junior department of the royal academy in winter of 2023. He currently plays on instruments kindly loan by the Academy’s collection.

Mina

Mina was introduced to the violin at the age of 5 by a family friend, the late Caroline Crouch. In September 2024, they began their undergraduate studies with Professor Martin Outram at the Royal Academy of Music, generously supported by the Calleva Foundation Scholarship. They previously also studied at The Centre for Young Musicians with Khac-Uyen Nguyen and The Purcell School, under the tutelage of Sarah-Jane Bradley on viola and Tanja Goldberg on Violin.

In January 2025 Mina took part in the live rounds of Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition 2025 in Gateshead. In 2024, they were awarded the first prizes at The Purcell School Sonata Competition and The Louis Watt Competition. Mina has performed solo at Wigmore Hall with The Purcell School Soloists and at the Janáček Concert Hall at the Brno Conservatoire, amongst others. Mina has been Principal Viola of The Odyssey Festival Orchestra since spring 2023, supported by the Beecham Trust.

Mina has been playing the T. Baker 2018 bow, kindly loaned by the Calleva Collection.

Jim Goss

Jim Goss enjoys a busy life as a chamber and orchestral musician. After founding the Neruda Quartet in 2024, Jim regularly performs in chamber festivals across the UK as well as recording work for artists such as Elton John. Jim has participated in masterclasses with renowned cellists such as Ralph Kirshbaum, Hannah Roberts, and Leonid Gorokhov, as well as performing alongside the likes of Lawrence Power, Magnus Johnston and Guy Johnston. He has benefitted from chamber music masterclasses with Anthony Marwood, Levon Chilingirian members of the Doric, Castalian, Heath, and Barbican Quartets. Jim currently studies with Guy Johnston at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was recently chosen to represent the Academy at the Tianjin International Orchestral Symposium. As an orchestral musician, Jim has worked under conductors such as John Wilson and performed at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. He has also performed in London’s Barbican and the Royal Festival Hall. Jim is passionate about making music accessible and is currently in the process of setting up a London based classical music concert series for young upcoming musicians.