For Cameron Daly, it was the best of times, in the worst of times.

The young violinist, completing graduate studies at Yale University, took a position with Naples Philharmonic, came to Naples for two weeks of concerts in March 2020, and never went back to school.

On the leading edge of the COVID-19 pandemic, he finished his master’s degree in Florida and live-streamed his degree recital, thanks to Naples United Church of Christ Director of Music Becky Weese.

Not a soul was in attendance.

“Playing in that beautiful church, with family and friends watching live, was an experience I won’t soon forget,” said Daly. “But I really need a live audience. You can feel its energy, particularly in chamber music.”

By September 2020, although a months-long pandemic hiatus was over for Naples Philharmonic, full-capacity symphony performances wouldn’t return until the 2021-2022 season.

Chamber music, however, resumed at Hayes Hall in October 2020, with socially distanced audience members seated onstage with the musicians.

“To have the audience right there onstage with us, we could really feel that connection with them,” said Daly. “That first season, I played more chamber music than orchestra, and that was great. At the end of the day, that is what I love to do.”

In 2022 he embraced a full-time chamber music opportunity, joining the American-Canadian Callisto Quartet, Grand Prize winners of the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and currently among the best young quartets in North America.

Daly believes in the unique chemistry of a string quartet, as do Callisto founding members Eva Kennedy (viola) and Hannah Moses (cello), and violinist Gregory Lewis.

“No two quartets are alike,” said Daly. “Each of us brings our own sources of inspiration into the quartet.

“And we’ve built a lot of trust together. It’s a very democratic approach to music-making, which is attractive and liberating to musicians. We each have our own voice, but we’ve learned to read each other quickly.”

Performing in Bonita Springs with Moldovan-American pianist Milana Strezeva — now President and Artistic Director of Grand Piano Series — closes a circle for Daly, who recorded and performed with Strezeva in Naples.

Praised for her supportive collaborations, Strezeva began playing chamber music at 11 with her clarinetist father and her mother, renowned soprano Svetlana Strezeva.

Milana later graduated from Juilliard School and co-founded the award-winning Manhattan Piano Trio, one of the most creative and dynamic young ensembles in America, with whom she performed in over 30 American states; in Australia, South Africa and Italy; and in venues including Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall and the Ravinia Festival.

Her love of family collaboration grew into the passionate advocacy of chamber music that would lead to her founding Grand Piano Series.

“It will be great to play with Milana again,” said Daly. “I’m looking forward to sharing with her the experience of playing with us in a piano quintet.”

“It’s a homecoming for me,” he continued. “A chance for me to reconnect with the vibrant Southwest Florida arts community, with friends and colleagues who’ll be attending, and with Milana, who brings so many wonderful artists into Grand Piano Series.” ¦

In the KNOW

GRAND PIANO SERIES: 

Callisto Quartet and Milana Strezeva: Music of Mozart, Ravel and Frank

· Thursday, Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m.

· St. Leo Auditorium, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs.

· Purchase tickets in advance for $45 ($50 at the door) at grandpianoseries.org.

For assistance, call 469-333-3231.