The Tetris String Quartet was formed by four music-loving high school students in 2016. With two violins, one viola, and one cello, they are a tight-knit group, playing music for events around the Omaha area. Each member brings unique experiences and skills to the group. They practice and rehearse both in and out of school, in order to bring the joy of music to you.
Ethan Chen - Violin
"My violin speaks for me." -Ethan Chen 2017
Ethan Chen embarked on the journey that is music at the age of seven. As a student of Omaha Symphony violinist Anne Nagosky, Ethan was given the opportunity to play in many ensembles and competitions. Aside from the biannual solo recitals and annual group recitals with Nagosky's studio, he has played in six separate UNO String Olympics competitions, medaling in all of them. Ethan has also performed violin with Nagosky's studio in the yearly Omaha Symphony Christmas Celebration show for the last seven years. With such diverse musical experiences, Ethan was well suited to join the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras (OAYO). Playing in OAYO for 5 years, Ethan has served as both Assistant and Associate Concertmaster.
In school, Ethan also demonstrates his skills, consistently attaining the positions of Concertmaster and Section Leader, as well as auditioning into the 2016 Nebraska All-State Orchestra. He uses the knowledge he gains from these experiences to help light up the music of Tetris.
When not practicing the violin, Ethan is often seen gliding through the waters of various pools around Omaha or rapidly flipping the pages of newly released books.
About Us
Matthew Halbur - Violin
"I did not write this." -Matthew Halbur 2017
When Matthew first picked up his violin, he knew it was for him. He began playing in a 2nd grade Suzuki program, and has now ventured into genres including pop and dubstep. Recently, he has been heavily inspired by the violinist Lindsey Stirling, many of whose works he has arranged and performed. He played her hit song Crystallize concerto-style accompanied by the Millard North Symphony Orchestra.
Matthew has received superior ratings in various competitions including Nebraska Young Orchestra Festival and UNO String Olympics. He also has consistently achieved the position of Associate Concertmaster within the Millard North Symphony Orchestra.
Matthew is also active in Millard North's band program as a percussionist, winning the title of state champion in Marching Band and receiving other assorted awards in Elkhorn Band Olympics. Such diverse musical experiences has allowed Matthew to become well-versed in the complex art of arranging. He is a co-arranger in the Tetris Quartet.
In Matt's free time, he independently studies piano and takes part in Millard North's speech and debate teams. He is an avid video gamer and reader. His favorite book series is the Legend trilogy by Marie Lu.
Gracie Fagan - Viola
"One viola. All the power." -Gracie Fagan 2017
Gracie Fagan first began playing viola in the Fourth Grade in the Millard Public School District. In the seven following years, she has consistently enjoyed principle player in a variety of ensembles and a viola position in a previous quartet. Her many musical endeavors, including studying viola, set her apart as an experienced and well-rounded musician.
In addition to her position as violist of Tetris Quartet, Gracie also serves as its primary arranger of music. Tetris brings alive both her unique interpretations of pop songs and her original compositions written for the quartet. Gracie studies composition with Dr. Stacey Barelos at the Omaha Conservatory of Music and aspires to compose music for Hollywood films one day.
Gracie has studied trumpet for six years and has become a sought-after young player in the Omaha area. Her ensemble experiences are diverse and include performance in marching bands, concert bands, jazz bands, and pit orchestras in musicals. Some highlights include selection to the 2016 All-State Band and playing with jazz group Pink Martini on their tour. Gracie has been active in chamber music with a brass quintet, and she performs solo repertoire regularly in local music competitions and in the studio of her teacher, Nancy Schlegelmich.
Chella Raghavan - Cello
"It's pronounced 'cello' with an 'a'." -Chella Raghavan 2017
Chella Raghavan began her musical studies at the age of four on the piano. At the age of nine, she took up the cello in her school orchestra and began studying privately soon after. She is active in Omaha's community of young musicians, having been involved in Omaha Area Youth Orchestras' (OAYO) ensembles for three years, serving as Assistant Principle Cellist. It was in OAYO's program for small ensembles that Chella was first introduced to chamber music. She has performed works of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart in three different ensembles coached by professional musicians from the Omaha area. Chella is also regularly involved in events hosted by the University of Nebraska at Omaha's music department. She has performed in the university's annual String Olympics both as a soloist and with Tetris Quartet, earning recognition in both areas. Additionally she has participated in the BOCH Festival, a weekend-long honors orchestra hosted by UNO faculty.
In 2016, Chella co-founded the Tetris String Quartet with three fellow Millard North High School musicians. She draws on her experience in ensemble playing and in community outreach to lead Tetris in bringing great music to Omaha.
Between rehearsals and practice sessions, Chella can be found drawing and painting, and designing and building furniture. She is a mentee in the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program for young artists and plans to pursue a career in interior design.
