The Meraki Quartet: The Merita Project’s Tale of Friendship and Collaboration

Stories | July 19, 2025

One of the special parts of the Merita Project is the presence of the Meraki Quartet, a talented Serbian ensemble. Comprised of four musicians – Violeta (violin), Ena (viola), Magdalena (cello), and Nada (violin) – the quartet is united not only by their passion for music but also by deep friendships that have formed over the years.

The quartet’s history is as much about collaboration and mentorship as it is about music. Two of the founding members, Violeta and Ena, were encouraged by their professor to create a string quartet. They subsequently approached Magdalena and Nada, forming more than a professional relationship, but one that is family in nature. As Violeta describes, “Our quartet is special primarily because of our energy. When we perform, the audience indeed reacts to our energy, and it is clear that we are friends.”

Energy, Friendship, and Music: The Heart of the Quartet

What stands out about the Meraki Quartet is their energy. They’re musicians, but they’re also friends who enjoy playing music in new and creative ways. Rehearsals with the quartet are not intense practice sessions alone – there’s humor there too, and the result is a comfortable and fruitful atmosphere. The friendships are what enable them to try things and create a sound that touches people in varying ways.

The Meraki Quartet was drawn to the Merita Project because of its potential to help them grow. They saw it as an opportunity to expand their horizons, not only musically but also in terms of project development. The quartet wanted to engage in more performances and experiences that could take them beyond the typical string quartet concert, which is often considered a formal, static affair.

Breaking Boundaries with Movement and Storytelling

By living with Merita, the quartet were instructed in breaking down old barriers – playing from memory and incorporating movement into their music. “We didn’t initially believe we could perform all our music from memory and incorporate movement into our concert. But as the days passed, we knew we could do it,” explains Magdalena. Incorporating movement and dance is a rare but appreciated innovation to their performance.

Working together with mentors such as Jelen and Francesca helped the quartet develop new things in their artistry. They learned how to connect with the audience through movement, storytelling, and most importantly, the energy they bring to each piece of music.

A Concert that Takes the World on Tour

For their Merita performance, the quartet conceptualized a concert that would take the audience on a world tour. From their multicultural repertoire, they embarked on folklore melodies and traditional dances of various cultures to create a concert not just about music but about experience. As they mention, “Our concert is about travel. We wanted to take the audience with us on a trip around the world.”

The most unique aspect of their performance was the level of interaction with the crowd. Rather than being confined to a traditional stage, the quartet engaged with their listeners, communicating through both music and movement. “We connect to the audience, we communicate with them, and it’s really fun,” says Violeta. This interactive element made their performance an immersive experience, where the audience was not just passive listeners but active participants in the journey.

The Impact on Younger Audiences and the Future of Classical Music

One of the goals of the Meraki Quartet’s project is to engage young audiences and interest children in music in a way that is fun and easy. Nada and Ena, both familiar with working with children, developed the project with this in mind. “We want to see children really enjoying music and activities, to experience the journey around the world through our music,” says Ena.

In the future, the Meraki Quartet will continue to grow as a band and create more innovative pieces, thanks to what they have experienced through Merita. “We want to present the audience with our energy and engage them in our story,” says Magdalena.

As the quartet continues to experiment on conventional lines of chamber music, their future undertakings will likely be guided by the valuable experience they have gained from involvement in Merita. They want to create even more exciting and unique performances that allow them to connect more with their audience.

Supported by the European Union, Merita continues to offer musicians rich opportunities to experiment, learn, and grow, shaping the future of European classical music in new and innovative ways.