"Few young American ensembles are as exciting and accomplished as the Dover Quartet," asserts The New Yorker. Its youthful vitality and fresh sound are rooted in the artistic heritages of the Guarneri, Cleveland and Vermeer Quartets and yet, the Dover has an instantly recognizable sound and style all its own. Davone Tines' artistry stands at the intersection of cultures, history and aesthetics, where he brings together opera, spirituals, gospel and anthems to tell deeply personal and powerfully universal stories of perseverance and human connection. "Davone Tines embodies the evolving, divided soul of Black America" (New York Times).
Hailed as "the next Guarneri Quartet" (Chicago Tribune) and "the young American string quartet of the moment," (New Yorker), the Dover Quartet catapulted to international stardom in 2013, following a stunning sweep of all prizes at the Banff Competition and has since become one of the most in-demand ensembles in the world. In addition to its faculty role as the inaugural Penelope P. Watkins Ensemble in Residence at the Curtis Institute of Music, the Dover Quartet holds residencies with the Kennedy Center, Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, Artosphere, and the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival.
Davone Tines, bass-baritone, is heralded as "a singer of immense power and fervor" by The Los Angeles Times, he came to international attention during 2015-16 in breakout performances at the Dutch National Opera premiere of Kaija Saariaho's Only the Sound Remains directed by Peter Sellars and at the Ojai Music Festival presenting works by Caroline Shaw and Kaija Saariaho with the Calder Quartet and the International Contemporary Ensemble. Davone Tines was co-creator of The Black Clown and a founding core member of the American Modern Opera Company.