Founded in 2014, the Novacane Quartet aims to elevate the clarinet quartet and its repertoire to an artistic level. The Novacane Quartet is committed to reinventing the quartet genre by commissioning new music and collaborating with other artists to stage interdisciplinary performances. While looking to the future, the group remains dedicated to great classical music from the past, balancing traditional stylistic practice with fresh interpretations. The group of energetic performers also continues its commitment to music education, inspiring young people in the community and advocating for a stronger generation of new musicians.
Recently named a semi-finalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (2016) and winner of the first annual Chicago Clarinet Ensemble International Competition (2014), the Novacane Quartet performs throughout the United States. The quartet presents traditional concerts as well as engaging community activities - events that intersect cultural outlets of music, drama, art, and architecture, creating an aesthetic experience unique to each performance.
Recent performances include concerts at the Cincinnati Art Museum's MUSE series - where the Novacane Quartet presented programs centered on works in the museum by Edward Hopper (Sun on Prospect Street) and Rufino Tamayo (Dancers over the Sea). These concerts were performed amidst the works of art that inspired the program - the music enhancing the visual art by bringing to light the artists' background, inspirations, and unique qualities of the paintings themselves. The Novacane Quartet works with artists of various disciplines to present community programs, like Impressions of Brown County: The Story of Frank Hohenberger. Impressions told the story of photo-journalist Frank Hohenberger (1876-1963), who documented the beginnings of Nashville, Indiana's Artist Colony in the early 20th century. With storytelling by Chicago-based Paul Whitehouse, photos by Hohenberger, and world-premiere performances by the Novacane Quartet and New Voices Opera, this interdisciplinary event captured the essence of the beginnings of Nashville, retelling the story of Hohenberger through photography, music, and spoken word at the Brown County Playhouse.
Read more about previous programs and our repertoire on our programs page. For bookings or collaborations, visit our contact page.
Recently named a semi-finalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (2016) and winner of the first annual Chicago Clarinet Ensemble International Competition (2014), the Novacane Quartet performs throughout the United States. The quartet presents traditional concerts as well as engaging community activities - events that intersect cultural outlets of music, drama, art, and architecture, creating an aesthetic experience unique to each performance.
Recent performances include concerts at the Cincinnati Art Museum's MUSE series - where the Novacane Quartet presented programs centered on works in the museum by Edward Hopper (Sun on Prospect Street) and Rufino Tamayo (Dancers over the Sea). These concerts were performed amidst the works of art that inspired the program - the music enhancing the visual art by bringing to light the artists' background, inspirations, and unique qualities of the paintings themselves. The Novacane Quartet works with artists of various disciplines to present community programs, like Impressions of Brown County: The Story of Frank Hohenberger. Impressions told the story of photo-journalist Frank Hohenberger (1876-1963), who documented the beginnings of Nashville, Indiana's Artist Colony in the early 20th century. With storytelling by Chicago-based Paul Whitehouse, photos by Hohenberger, and world-premiere performances by the Novacane Quartet and New Voices Opera, this interdisciplinary event captured the essence of the beginnings of Nashville, retelling the story of Hohenberger through photography, music, and spoken word at the Brown County Playhouse.
Read more about previous programs and our repertoire on our programs page. For bookings or collaborations, visit our contact page.
Erik Franklin
Equal parts performer and teacher, clarinetist Erik Franklin balances his time sharing music on the stage and off. Erik is a member of the U.S. Army Field Band, the premier touring musical outfit for the United States Army. He has given hundreds of concerts in nearly all fifty states, performing concerts in venues from veterans’ homes to Carnegie Hall. When not touring with the Field Band, Erik enjoys performing chamber music with his award-winning ensemble, the Novacane Quartet. A semi-finalist in the 2016 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the group is passionate about commissioning new works and frequently performs contemporary music on collaborative programs that include dance, visual art, and spoken word. www.novacanequartet.com Erik believes wholeheartedly in the vitality of music education. He is Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at Towson University in Baltimore, previously serving as Instructor of Woodwinds and Music History at the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. Every summer, Erik directs the Indiana Clarinet Experience, a week-long arts camp for young clarinetists in Indiana focused on musicianship, chamber music, and music appreciation. Erik holds a B.M. in Clarinet from Furman University. He is continuing to pursue a Doctorate from the world-renowned Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, studying with Professor Howard Klug. A South Carolina native, Erik lives in Baltimore, MD with his husband. They are happily involved in the vibrant Upper Fell’s Point community, where they enjoy hosting concerts in their home, drinking coffee, reading books, and nursing their ice cream addiction. www.erikfranklin.net |
Samantha
Johnson-Helms Samantha currently serves as Principal Clarinet of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra (THSO) in Terre Haute, Indiana and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic (CIP). She served as Second Clarinet/E-flat Clarinet with the CIP prior to her current position as principal. As principal clarinet of the THSO, she performed W.A. Mozart's Clarinet Concerto with the orchestra in 2014. In addition to the regular THSO and CIP seasons, she has also performed with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra in Carmel, Indiana, and the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra and the Bloomington Chamber Singers in Bloomington, Indiana. Samantha graduated summa cum laude from Butler University with her Bachelor of Music degree in Clarinet Performance, studying with Achille Rossi, former clarinetist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Samantha received her Master’s degree in Clarinet Performance from the Jacobs School of Music where she studied with Eli Eban. Samantha is currently pursuing her Doctor of Music degree at Indiana University with Howard Klug. She is an Associate Instructor for the clarinet department for the 2017-2018 academic year. |
Kylie Stultz-Dessent
Kylie Stultz-Dessent is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Clarinet at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, studying with James Campbell. She received her Master's degree in 2014 from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and graduated with high honors from Indiana University in 2012. She has attended international music festivals such as Orford Summer Academy, Windfest, and the Banff Centre Masterclasses. Kylie performs with local symphonies in Indiana. In addition to performing, Kylie is a passionate clarinet teacher. Her students place in All-State ensembles, receive top ratings at solo festivals and competitions, and have studied at prestigious music schools. Currently, she is serving as an Adjunct Instructor of Clarinet and Chamber Music at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. In addition to her position at BSU, she is the clarinet instructor at Columbus North High School and Carmel High School. Every summer, Kylie directs the Indiana Clarinet Experience (ICE) - a six day clarinet institute in Brown County, Indiana emphasizing chamber music, music appreciation, and musicality. ICE was founded in 2014 with fellow Novacane Quartet member, Erik Franklin. |
Keith Northover
Hailing from Maryland, Keith Northover is currently a doctoral student and associate instructor at Indiana University, where he studies clarinet with Howard Klug and Eric Hoeprich. Before IU, he completed both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in clarinet performance and music education from the University of Florida, where he studied with Professor Mitchell Estrin. While attending UF, Keith also served as adjunct instructor of clarinet at the College of Central Florida. Recent career highlights include chamber music tours in Europe and Brazil, a solo performance of Rolla’s Basset Horn Concerto with the UF Orchestra and Mcalister's Black Dog Rhapsody with the CCF Wind Ensemble. His research and performance interests include pursuing and advocating the use of the auxiliary clarinets. With years of service and commitment to providing music to the community, Keith is committed to encouraging and promoting music to the next generation. |