Who We Are
Ampifly-Inspire-Connect

The Boston Public Quartet (BPQ) Founded in 2007 by violinist Betsy Hinkle, BPQ was created to connect, inspire, and amplify voices historically excluded from classical music. The ensemble—now a flexible piano quintet—performs across the U.S. in spaces ranging from neighborhood street corners to national venues like the Kennedy Center, and brings chamber music to communities with limited access to the arts.
BPQ’s mission is rooted in “normalizing the amplification of historically excluded voices”—including the musicians on stage, the composers they feature, the students they teach, and the audiences they engage. Members Betsy Hinkle (violin), Grant Houston (violin), Jason Amos (viola), Nicholas Johnson (cello), and Joy Cline Phinney (piano) are graduates of institutions including Juilliard, New England Conservatory, and the University of Michigan. Collectively, they’ve performed with ensembles such as the Boston Ballet, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, the Sphinx Symphony, and Castle of Our Skins.
BPQ continues to collaborate across disciplines—partnering with visual artists, dancers, and composers—and remains committed to presenting meaningful, inclusive performances that resonate with diverse communities.
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