Juilliard String Quartet's Ronald Copes Steps Down After 28 Years

June 30, 2025, 2:52 PM · On Monday the Juilliard String Quartet announced a new second violinist: Chinese-German violinist Leonard Fu, who will succeed longtime member Ronald Copes. Copes is stepping down after 28 years in the ensemble, and he will remain on the Juilliard violin faculty.

The Juilliard String Quartet - L-R: Areta Zhulla, Molly Carr, Astrid Schween and Leonard Fu.

The ensemble is the string quartet-in-residence at The Juilliard School in New York City and has recorded prolifically over its nearly 80 years. Fu joins violinist Areta Zhulla, violist Molly Carr and cellist Astrid Schween. The JSQ members are also teachers who lead master classes, coachings, and private instruction, both at Juilliard and while on tour.

Founded in 1946, the Juilliard Quartet's original members were violinists Robert Mann and Robert Koff, violist Raphael Hillyer and cellist Arthur Winograd. When Copes joined in 1997, Joel Smirnoff became first violinist, with violist Samuel Rhodes and cellist Joel Krosnick.

Violinist Ronald Copes.

"My time in the Juilliard String Quartet has truly been the inspiration of a lifetime," Copes said. "Through each of the quartet’s incarnations, my colleagues have inspired me and broadened my understanding; I will always be grateful for their generosity, their passion, and their friendship. I know I share with my current colleagues the pleasure and excitement of welcoming Leonard Fu to the JSQ’s continuing adventure. Personally, I look forward to following the quartet’s activities and enjoying its further evolution."

Fu began his early studies in Germany with Lara Lev and Tanja Becker-Bender and completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at New England Conservatory under the tutelage of Donald Weilerstein and studied at Juilliard with Weilerstein and Catherine Cho. Fu has pursued further professional studies with Antje Weithaas at the Kronberg Academy and has served as teaching assistant to Weilerstein at NEC and Cho at Juilliard, where he assisted with both Pre-College and College students. He earned his Artist Diploma from Juilliard in 2023.

“The Juilliard String Quartet has profoundly shaped my musical journey—from my precollege studies in Germany with Tanja Becker-Bender, who often spoke of her time studying with JSQ founder Robert Mann and shared the quartet’s values, to learning from Ron Copes, Roger Tapping , and Joel Krosnick in the U.S. It’s an incredible honor to carry forward their legacy," Fu said. "The quartet’s dedication to the full range of string repertoire deeply resonates with me, and I am truly grateful and thrilled to embark on this journey with Areta, Molly, and Astrid!”

Fu also is accomplished composer who frequently performs his own works and has been commissioned for solo and chamber pieces. He performs on a 1781 Lorenzo Storioni violin, on loan from the Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben.

"Through its artistry onstage and impact in the teaching studio, the Juilliard String Quartet has long been a leading voice in the world of chamber music," Juilliard Provost Adam Meyer said. "For nearly three decades, Ron Copes has brought brilliant musicianship and wise leadership to the group, and we are grateful that he will continue as a valued member of the Juilliard violin faculty. As Leonard Fu steps into the role of second violin and joins the Juilliard violin faculty, his own unique artistic voice will carry forward the unmatched legacy of the quartet."

BELOW: From November 2022, the Juilliard String Quartet performs Beethoven's String Quartet No. 13 in B flat, Op. 130,
I. Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro

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Raul Kottler

June 30, 2025 at 08:47 PM · In 1978 he coached my university's student string quartet, in which I played viola. That was the highlight of my education.

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Juilliard String Quartet's Ronald Copes Steps Down After 28 Years

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