Who we are

Emerging as one of the most compelling chamber ensembles of their generation, the Cerus Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the dynamic and versatile sound of the saxophone quartet. With a repertoire ranging from contemporary compositions to transcriptions of classical masterworks, Cerus seeks to establish the saxophone quartet as a leading voice in 21st-century classical music. Their mission is driven by diverse, engaging programming and innovative visual elements that captivate audiences.

Cerus champions both new music and timeless repertoire. They have premiered works by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon, Karalyn Schubring, and Ryan Lindveit, most recently premiering a new commission by Wenbin Lyu. Their unique programming approach has not only earned them critical acclaim and competition success, but has also shaped a distinctive ensemble sound, allowing them to adapt to a wide range of performance settings and musical styles.

The quartet was named the winner of the 2025 Concert Artist Guild Louis and Susan Meisel Competition. As part of that honor, Cerus was awarded the inaugural Bohemians Artist Residency and the Robert A. Levinson and Patricia S. Levinson Arts Achievement Award, offering tailored resources to accelerate their career development. As part of these assets, Cerus collaborated with FourTen Media to produce three unique music videos featuring the music of Grieg, Piazzolla, and Laganella. Additional accolades include the Gold Medal in the 2025 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, First Prize in the 2025 Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition, First Prize in the 2024 MTNA National Chamber Music Competition, and First Prize with the Michigan Prize at the 2023 Briggs Chamber Music Competition.

Performing across more than 10 U.S. states this past year alone, Cerus was recently in residence at the 2026 IPR Sound Garden Project, where they emphasized education and community engagement, presenting interactive workshops as well as community performances designed to inspire and connect with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. In the summer of 2026, the quartet had notable performances as part of the Newport Classical Festival in Rhode Island and the Carnegie Hall Citywide Series in New York City. They were also featured as concerto soloists with the University of Michigan Symphony Band, performing David Biedenbender’s Severance in November 2025. Based in Ann Arbor, the ensemble is composed of Roberto Campa (soprano saxophone), Laura Ramsay (alto), Kyle Kato (tenor), and Samuel Dishon (baritone).

Their name draws from Greek mythology—Cerus was a wild bull transformed by the goddess Persephone, a story of chaos tamed into beauty. This myth mirrors the quartet’s artistic vision: to reimagine the saxophone from its perception as a boisterous force to a medium of beauty and expressive depth, deserving of a central role in 21st-century classical music.

Cerus operates as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.