meet the musicians
The Core Four
Elise Hughey
Elise is the founder of quartet442, established in 2012. She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music (BM ‘09, MM ‘11) and performs with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra in Ithaca. Elise is passionate about teaching beginner cellists and she loves finding fresh and captivating arrangements of popular songs for quartet442 to play at weddings and events! In addition to her musical life, Elise is also a social media manager for local businesses, a certified yoga instructor, a new mom to a baby boy, and a cat mom to Penny and Archie.
Molly werts mcdonald
Molly is a graduate of the Eastman School of music, and has been playing in the RPO since 2013. There is almost nothing that she loves more than playing string quartet music! But when she’s not in Kodak hall or performing with her chamber music groups, you can find Molly reading and goofing around with her two kids, creating art for greeting cards, and growing long-stemmed flowers in her garden.
Shannon reilly
Shannon Reilly specializes in the study and performance of contemporary music. Shannon is the violin professor at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), a violin teacher for charitable organization Buffalo String Works, and the violinist for Duo Purla, and the Alla Balena Ensemble. She holds an MM in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music. An avid reader, Reilly is currently making her way through Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee.
Benjamin Magruder
Having recently completed a second degree at the Eastman School of Music, violist Ben Magruder is an active performer, teacher, arranger, and producer. Ben plays with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as well as various local orchestras and chamber groups. Ben also has a passion for teaching, and holds an education degree in addition to his performance degree. He also loves to cook and helped keep himself afloat through college as a chef at a fine restaurant and private chef.