The McGill International String Quartet Academy (MISQA) was created in 2010, with its first edition running from August 15 through 26. The aim of the Academy is to invite in Montreal world-renowned professors who are, or have been, members of the most prestigious string quartets in the last forty years, to teach and share their experience with exceptional young string quartets from different countries. These quartets are all ensembles who also have been selected to participate in the most prestigious international string quartet competitions. The Academy also welcomes younger quartets, ensembles that aspire to follow in their colleagues’ footsteps.