Connected by their mutual background and passion for the music of the Balkans, Serbian violinists Sinisa Ciric and Mirna Ogrizovic, violist Danijela Zezeji-Gualdi, and Bulgarian cellist Martin Gueorguiev formed the Balkan Quartet a dynamic and inspiring string group whose playing reflects their love for the energy and intricate nuances of the region’s musical language. Balkan Quartet’s focus is to inspire and involve composers to create new music using indigenous melodies and rhythms from the Balkans, reviving the region’s rich musical heritage on a high artistic level. The quartet has performed works by talented contemporary composers including Nikitas Demos, Alexandra Vrebalov, Milos Simic, Brian Mitchell, and Alexander Gajic. Balkan Quartet has performed extensively throughout the Southeastern US, including at Piccolo Spoleto’s Spotlight Series, the Arts Club in Washington, DC, South Carolina Chamber Music Festival, as well as concerts in Wilmington, NC, Savannah, GA, and Florence, SC, among others. The quartet has appeared on numerous college campuses, including North Carolina State University, Agnes Scott College (GA), Francis Marion University (SC), Shorter College (GA), and University of North Carolina-Wilmington. Balkan Quartet’s 2009 performance at Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage was streamed live, and their music has been broadcast on Georgia Public Radio’s “Afternoon Concert” program.