About Us

BIOGRAPHY

It has been said of the Calyx Trio, “whether you’re a confirmed fan of chamber music, or simply curious about this time-honored genre, Calyx Piano Trio never fails to delight audiences.” (New Bern Magazine)

Formed in 2001, the Calyx Piano Trio takes its name from the botanical term meaning the sepals of a flower, often in multiples of three, that encase a flower bud. Catherine French, violin, Jennifer Lucht, cello, and Nina Ferrigno, piano, have earned Calyx the reputation of defying stereotypes with a repertoire that combines classical masterworks with original pieces by living composers.

The Trio performs extensively in the United States, exciting audiences with expressive ensemble playing and brilliant virtuosity. They have been featured on the Morrison Artist Series (CA), at the Sheldon Concert Hall and the Kranzberg Arts Center (St. Louis), and on series at the Brooklyn Friends of Chamber Music (NY), Pamlico Musical Society (NC), Newton Free Library (MA), Curtisville Consortium (MA) and James Library Center for the Arts (MA). Calyx has presented concerts and educational programs at Washington University (St. Louis), Webster University (St. Louis) as well as East Carolina University (Greenville). Festival residencies include those, ongoing, with the Carolina Chamber Music Festival (NC) since 2008 and the Missouri Chamber Music Festival (MOCM) since 2011.

This dynamic group has been described as “a composer’s dream come true” and has premiered many pieces written for them including kiss to the earth (2013) by Amy Beth Kirsten, made possible by a grant from Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Program. Recent premieres include those of composers Derek Bermel (2015), Christopher Stark (2017), and Beth Denisch (2018).