The NSQA is an in The Netherlands unique institute which is entirely dedicated to providing specialised string quartet education for young and talented musicians. Thus the NSQA performs a role as a catalyst for the development of the string quartet in the Netherlands.
The NSQA, founded in 2001 by Stefan Metz, is recognised by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and offers education through three study programmes:
1) a two-year full-time education
2) a part-time education
3) an introduction programme
The courses are made up of quartet lessons and masterclass projects, and a supplementary curriculum with workshops in which topics like cultural entrepreneurship, string quartet analysis, marketing etc. are covered.
The string quartet lessons are given by Marc Danel (first violinist of the Danel Quartet, Brussels), since September 2011 artistic leader of the NSQA, and Stefan Metz (formerly the cellist of the Orlando Quartet).
''In my opinion chamber music in general and string quartet in particular requires a highly specialised education.''
György Kurtág, composer, Paris 2001 (member International Recommendation Comité NSQA)