Eykamp String Quartet

Meet the Members of the Eykamp String Quartet

Jack Bogard

Concertmaster Violin

Jack Bogard began performing with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra as a section violinist during the 2021-2022 season. Most recently, he was Principal 2nd Violin of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, musician with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, and Concertmaster of the Indiana University New Music Ensemble. Jack was a member of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra from 2019-2022 and participated with the National Orchestral Institute and Festival from 2020-2022, Aspen Music Festival and School Orchestral Program in 2018 and 2019, and the National Repertory Orchestra in 2017.

Jack was a member of Cincinnati’s 4-way String Quartet from 2017-2019 and taught both in-school and after-school programs for under-served youth in the Cincinnati area. He served as Concertmaster under Marin Alsop during the National Orchestral Institute Summer Festival.

Jack performed the Ein Heldenleben Concertmaster solo under the direction of Marin Alsop at the National Orchestra Institute in 2022 and appeared as a guest Concertmaster for Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

His awards and honors include Finalist in the International Irish Fiddle Competition at the All-Ireland Fleadh in County Caven, Ireland (2011-2012), Midwest Youth Irish Fiddle Championship (2011-2012), and Tony Cuffe Youth Scholarship for study at Swannanoa Gathering in 2010.

Jack graduated from Indiana University with a Performance Diploma in Orchestral Studies in 2021 and a Performance Diploma in Solo Performance in 2022. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Violin Performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and spent a semester in Brazil at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP).

Michael Chu

Principal Second Violin

Born and raised in Minnesota, Michael Chu is both an active performer and music educator. Coming from a diverse musical education including violin, piano, trumpet, and saxophone, Michael enjoys drawing inspiration from many different influences and cultures. He actively seeks to expand his knowledge and understanding of both historical and contemporary styles, respecting traditions while embracing new directions.

Michael is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where he received his B.M. in Violin Performance and Music Education as a student of Sally O’Reilly. He later went on to receive his M.M. in Violin Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a student of Chen Zhao. Other influential teachers have included Catherine Van Hoesen, Aaron Janse, and Blayne Barnes.

In addition to his responsibilities in Evansville, Michael also serves as Concertmaster of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and Principal Second Violin of the Owensboro Symphony. He is also a regular substitute with the Nashville Symphony. Outside of music, Michael enjoys playing tennis, weightlifting, and spending time with his two cats, Miso and Caesar.

Mark Hatlestad

Principal Viola

Mark Hatlestad is a member of the Eykamp String Quartet, the Principal Violist of the Evansville Philharmonic, and as an Artist in Residence at the University of Evansville since his appointment to the position in 2018. As a member of the Quartet, Mark helped create the “New Traditions Series”, where he has performed the work of over 50 underrepresented composers in non-traditional venues throughout the region. Mark serves as Principal Violist of the Owensboro Symphony since 2019 and regularly performs as a substitute in the Nashville Symphony and Louisville Orchestra. As a teacher, Mark serves as the Conductor of the Owensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra since 2023 and runs a private studio for young violists in Evansville and Owensboro.

Mark is a graduate of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music (B.M. 15, M.M. 17), where he studied viola performance with Atar Arad and Edward Gazouleas. At IU, Mark studied chamber music with Peter Stumpf, Kevork Madirossian, Mark Kaplan, Stephen Wyrczynski and members of the Pacifica Quartet. An advocate of contemporary music, Mark served as Principal Viola of Indiana University’s New Music ensemble under David Dzubay. Mark studied violin and viola pedagogy with Mimi Zwieg and Brenda Brenner, and served as an assistant instructor at the Indiana University Summer String Academy and in the Fairview Violin Project. As a Minnesota native, his formative teachers include Brad Johnson, Margaret Haviland, Ray Shows, Manny Laureano, and Aaron Janse.

Graham Cullen

Principal Cello

Graham Cullen is currently the cellist of the Eykamp String Quartet as well as the Principal cellist of both Evansville Philharmonic and Owensboro Symphony Orchestras. Graham holds a BM and an MM from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. During his time at the Jacobs School, Graham was a member of the student quartet in residence, allowing him to work closely and collaborate with the Pacifica Quartet and other faculty members.

Before coming to Evansville, Graham held the Assistant Principal chair with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. He was also a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Graham was invited numerous summers to be a fellow at both Aspen Music Festival and Tanglewood Music Center where he performed alongside cellists Yo-Yo Ma and Alisa Weilerstein. Graham was a grand prizewinner of the Alice Coleman Chamber Competition and has had the opportunity to perform all over the US and Europe with his quartet.