Biography

Hailed as "One of the most innovative and exciting percussion ensembles to emerge in the golden age of chamber music" for their immersive sound world, New York City-based Excelsis Percussion Quartet is Marcelina Suchocka (Poland), Aya Kaminaguchi (Japan), Britton-René Collins (United States), and Mariana Ramirez (Mexico). This international group of women with a multilingual combination of five languages join together to speak the universal language of rhythm, rooted in their belief that music possesses an ability to unite us all. Excelsis brings vibrancy into the percussion community through eclectic programming, innovative storytelling, and embracing their intersectional identities.

 

Excelsis made their debut at the PAS NYC Weekend of Percussion in 2014, playing with Lisa Pegher. Described as a "fiery new percussion quartet on the rise," Excelsis has twice been featured on the NPR show "From The Top" with Christopher O'Riley and appeared as a guest ensemble at the Zeltsman Marimba Festival in 2015. In 2016, Excelsis took the opportunity to curate a program featuring women composers for their performance in Sō Percussion's concert series "Brooklyn Bound."

In the summer of 2016, Excelsis was part of the Tippet Rise Music Festival in Montana, performing John Luther Adams' outdoor percussion piece "Inuksuit" alongside Doug Perkins and members of the Montana Symphony. In addition to their active performance schedule, Excelsis delivers masterclasses and educational workshops, most recently giving a clinic at the Salem State University in Massachusetts.

 

Excelsis Percussion Quartet’s breadth of repertoire spans from classical to avant-garde. With the presence of exciting arrangements, including Björk and other pop music covers, Excelsis advocates for multi-genre representation in their programming, charming audiences with contrasting and uniquely innovative concert experiences. Excelsis Percussion Quartet proudly endorses Sabian Cymbals.