Overview
2026 Fischoff Competition Grand Prize & Wind Division Gold Medal Winner ZaRiah returns to the Midwest for their Gold Medal Tour!
A world-class emerging ensemble, ZaRiah Wind Quartet is a collaboration of multifaceted artists passionate about creating performances that are both artistically compelling and deeply human. Comprised of Ben Smith (flute), Jamison Hillian (oboe), Katelyn Waffer Poetker (clarinet), AJ Neubert (bassoon), and Braydon Ross (horn), ZaRiah is the Grand Prize winner of the 2026 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, an honor that has not been won by a wind quintet in nearly three decades.
Known for their vibrant energy and genuine connection with audiences, the ensemble brings a fresh and engaging approach to the chamber music world. The ensemble recently earned First Prize at the Frances Walton Chamber Music Competition presented by the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle (LMC), marking the first wind quintet to ever win this competition.
ZaRiah is the 2026 Artist-in-Residence with the Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City. In 2025, ZaRiah was in residence at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, where they presented multiple concerts featuring a diverse selection of repertoire. During the summer of 2026, ZaRiah was in residence as Shouse Artists for the 2026 Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Southfield, Michigan.
Members of ZaRiah have performed and toured extensively all over the world to countries such as China, Korea, France, Germany, Austria, and England, as well as Prague, and have also toured with Broadway productions. In addition, ZaRiah’s members are accomplished orchestral musicians, having performed with ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Artosphere Festival Orchestra, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and Charleston Symphony Orchestra, among numerous others.
At the center of ZaRiah’s work is a belief that chamber music is most powerful when it feels personal. Whether performing masterworks, collaborating with living composers, or introducing music to new audiences, ZaRiah is dedicated to creating experiences that invite listeners in and leave a lasting connection.
Along with performing, ZaRiah are passionate about exposing great chamber music of all kinds to new audiences and, as a result, have founded a new chamber series in Charlotte, NC – Queen City Chamber Music.
Website: www.quintetzariah.com/
YouTube: @quintetzariah
Instagram: @quintetzariah
Facebook: @ZaRiah
Learn more about Fischoff’s Double Gold Tour.
TOUR SCHEDULE:
¹Free public performance
²Ticketed public performance
³Invitation only
Sunday, September 13, 6:00 PM (CST)
Music at the Fort Concert Series, Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, Highwood, IL¹
Monday, September 14
Various educational outreach programs, South Bend, IN³
Tuesday, September 15
Various educational outreach programs, St. Joseph, MI³
Wednesday, September 16, 12:15 PM (CST)
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, Chicago, IL¹
Broadcast live on WFMT 98.7FM
Thursday, September 17 – Friday, September 18
Interlochen Center for the Arts
Saturday, September 19
Fischoff Chamber Music Academy Kick-off Meeting, South Bend, IN³
Andrews University, Howard Center Presents Concert, Berrien Springs, MI²
Sunday, September 20, 4:00 PM (EST)
DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Presenting Artists Series,²
LaBar Family Recital Hall, O’Neill Music Center, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Monday, September 21
Various educational outreach programs, Mishawaka & South Bend, IN³
