Formed in 2020, the Lehner Quartet brings together four distinguished musicians from the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra (Washington National Opera) and the National Symphony Orchestra: violinists Natasha Bogachek and Zino Bogachek, violist Philippe Chao, and cellist Igor Zubkovsky. Each a celebrated performer with international credentials, the quartet was born from a shared passion for chamber music and a longstanding artistic collaboration.
From the outset, the ensemble has earned recognition as one of the most compelling voices in today’s classical music scene, blending virtuosity, emotional depth, and artistic innovation.
Between 2021 and 2023, the Lehner Quartet partnered with Virtual Concert Halls and Vox Novus to present a bold series of concerts spotlighting new works by living composers. These performances underscore the ensemble’s mission: to uphold the rich traditions of chamber music while championing diverse and forward-looking voices shaping the future of classical performance.
Audiences have come to expect programs that bridge the classical canon with contemporary expression, offering performances that are as intellectually engaging as they are emotionally resonant.
Building on this momentum, the quartet has appeared in multiple performances at Carnegie Hall and other leading venues throughout the 2022–2025 concert seasons. Their ongoing collaborations with composers from around the world reinforce their role as dedicated ambassadors for new music in the 21st century.
In 2024, the Lehner Quartet released their debut double album, Modern Classics, on the Cicerone Music and Arts (CiMA) label. This landmark recording features original works by living composers from around the globe, further affirming the ensemble’s dedication to expanding and invigorating the contemporary string quartet repertoire.
The current lineup of the Lehner Quartet includes violinists Vladimir Dyo and Yevgeniy Dyo, violist Joseph Kauffman, and founding cellist Igor Zubkovsky. Together, they are preparing for an exciting new season filled with performances and upcoming recording projects under the CiMA label, continuing their mission to champion innovative music with passion and excellence.
Musicians
Vladimir Dyo
Violinist
Since making his debut with the Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra at the age of 12, Vladimir Dyo has toured extensively and performed at prestigious venues across the former USSR, Europe, Asia, and the United States. His appearances include world-renowned halls such as Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Hall, Seoul Arts Center, Rachmaninoff Hall, Tchaikovsky Hall, Column Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, KBS Hall, UNESCO Headquarters, and the United Nations General Assembly Hall.
Vladimir’s distinctive tone and deeply personal approach to phrasing distinguish him in the world of classical music.
Critics have praised his artistry with vivid admiration:
“His mystic contour merged with the instrument and hypnotized the audience... The subtlety and flawlessness of Rachmaninoff’s endlessly versatile music evoked such a profound emotional response that many in the audience were moved to tears.” — N. Zemlyakova, musicologist
“Dyo’s Sarasate was dazzling…” — Michael Church, BBC World Service
“Vladimir Dyo is a violinist who plays with incredible energy and electricity. His rendition of my LEX was spectacular. He is a major talent with a very bright future ahead!” — Michael Daugherty, Grammy-winning composer
Recognized for his electrifying performances and expressive nuance, Vladimir Dyo continues to build a remarkable international career as a leading violinist of his generation.
Yevgeniy Dyo
Violinist
"Elegant violinist" — Luis Biava, Principal and Conductor-in-Residence Emeritus, Philadelphia Orchestra
"Control, solidity and beauty — who could ask for more?" — Jeffrey Solow American String Teachers Association President
"His is fine, sylvan sound, a combination of secure intonation and lithe bow arm. Throughout, Mr. Dyo's playing was elegant, subtle at times, imperious at others, dramatic, and remarkable." — Dr. David Cannata
Since making his debut with the Kazakh State Orchestra at the age of nine, Yevgeniy Dyo has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious venues across the former Soviet Union, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the United States, including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Kimmel Center, Tchaikovsky Hall, Mozarteum Wiener Saal, Meyerson Hall, and the United Nations General Headquarters.
A laureate of numerous national and international competitions, he is the Grand Prize winner of the Shabyt International Chamber Music Competition in Kazakhstan and recipient of the “New Names” International Organization Award in Moscow.
Dr. Dyo’s career spans performance, education, and cultural leadership. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has appeared at festivals such as Mozarteum Salzburg and co-founded ensembles and concert series including Musica D’Accordo Astana (Kazakhstan’s premier chamber ensemble), Trio Fontes, and the Solo and Chamber Music Series in New Jersey. He has premiered major works such as Karl Jenkins’ Requiem in London under the baton of the composer himself and served as guest concertmaster with the New Jersey Capital Philharmonic.
In the media, Dr. Dyo has been featured on Kazakhstan National Television and Radio, WWFM’s “Celebrating Our Musical Future”, and in publications such as The Washington Post, Korea Phila Times, Kazakhstanskaya Pravda, and Koryo Ilbo. His performance of Bernstein’s Music for String Quartet was highlighted in the U.S. premiere coverage.
As an educator, Dr. Dyo has taught violin and chamber music at Temple University, The Peddie School, and given masterclasses at institutions such as the Mongolian State Conservatory and the Music School of Delaware. He is a regular adjudicator for New Jersey All-State auditions and has judged international competitions, including the GMP International Violin Competition in New York, where he also serves as Artistic Director.
His leadership in arts organizations includes his tenure as President of the Philadelphia Korean Musicians Association, where he organized landmark cultural events and competitions for young musicians. He also collaborates with the Association of Modern Georgian Artists, bringing contemporary music to New York audiences.
Dr. Yevgeniy Dyo continues to perform, teach, and advocate for music that connects cultures and generations across the globe.
Joseph Kauffman
Violist
Violinist and violist Joseph Kauffman has performed in many of the world’s most prestigious concert venues, including Tchaikovsky Hall, Disney Hall, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kimmel Center, the Mariinsky Theatre, and the Kennedy Center. He studied with renowned teachers Yayoi Numazawa (Philadelphia Orchestra), James Lyon and Max Zorin (Penn State University), and Dr. Eduard Schmieder (Temple University). Kauffman holds degrees in violin performance from Penn State University (BM) and Temple University (MM), and is currently completing his DMA at Temple.
He has won numerous awards, including 1st Prize in the MTNA Chamber Music Competition, as well as the Beene, Kroulik, and Brewster Solo Competitions. He was honored with Temple University’s Albert Tashjian Prize and Max Aronoff Prize for excellence in performance and teaching, and received Penn State’s Creative Achievement Award.
As a soloist, Kauffman has performed with ensembles such as the PSU Philharmonic, Williamsport Chamber Orchestra, and the Temple Symphony Orchestra. A member of ipalpiti Artists International since 2010, he has appeared on chamber music broadcasts in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, and performed in chamber concerts with artists including Branford Marsalis. In 2015, he performed for Pope Francis during his visit to Philadelphia.
Kauffman performs regularly with leading ensembles including the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Virtuosi, Symphony in C, Princeton Symphony, AVA Opera, and ipalpiti Artists International. He has also recorded music for the documentary television series Philadelphia: The Great Experiment and other upcoming projects.
A passionate educator, Kauffman teaches violin and viola to a studio of award-winning students and coaches chamber music at Temple University. He is the Co-founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Music Transforms concert series in Wayne, Pennsylvania, which fosters music outreach and community engagement.
Igor Zubkovsky
Cellist
Cellist Igor Zubkovsky began his musical journey in his native Russia, making his solo debut at age twelve with the Minsk State Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Haydn’s C Major Cello Concerto. He later studied at the Moscow Conservatory under the renowned Natalia Shakhovskaya, Gold Medalist of the 1962 Tchaikovsky Competition.
Zubkovsky has been recognized internationally, earning top prizes at the International Cello Competition in Minsk, Belarus (Second Prize) and the Tansman International Competition in Lodz, Poland (Grand Prix). As a member of The Brahms Trio (Moscow), he received Second Prize at the Trapani Chamber Music Competition in Italy and First Prize at the Weimar International Chamber Music Competition in Germany.
Awarded a full scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory of Music, he earned a Graduate Performance Diploma and has since enjoyed a dynamic career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer.
Since 2003, Zubkovsky has been a member of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra (Washington National Opera). His performance highlights include appearances at Merkin Concert Hall (NYC), the Newport Music Festival, and solo engagements with orchestras in the U.S. and abroad—most notably Brahms’ Double Concerto with the West Chester University Orchestra and Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations with the Altoona Symphony.
He has also performed in chamber music series at the Moscow Conservatory’s Rachmaninov Hall, Kennedy Center, and in Paris with the Marquis Ensemble. His trio performances with Anna Ouspenskaya and Elisabeth Adkins, presented by the Levine Presents series, were broadcast on WETA, Washington D.C.'s classical music station.
In addition to performing, Zubkovsky is an active arranger and editor, creating original transcriptions and adaptations for cello ensembles. He premiered the Cello Sonata by Isaac Mikhnovsky and has several acclaimed CD recordings to his credit.
