University of Michigan lecturer Kari Landry and research technician associate Andrew Koeppe earned a Grammy Award in FY 2025 as members of the Akropolis reed quintet. Their piece “Strands,” composed by Pascal Le Boeuf and featured on the album “Are We Dreaming the Same Dream?,” won Best Instrumental Composition at the Los Angeles ceremony. Landry, who teaches in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and Koeppe, with Michigan Medicine, are two of the five Akropolis members, all of whom started as U-M undergraduate music majors.

Akropolis set out in 2009 when reed quintets were rare. Facing a lack of repertoire, the group invited U-M student composers to write new music and found early success in chamber music competitions. Despite members scattering for graduate studies and careers across the country, Akropolis maintained its original lineup, demonstrating the power of collaboration and resilience.

Transitioning from student ensemble to professional group, Akropolis incorporated as a nonprofit in 2015. The quintet now runs over 100 performances and education programs yearly. Its activities range from a Detroit-based summer festival and composition residencies at high schools to a 10-day mentorship event in Petoskey. The ensemble has released six commercial albums and commissioned more than 200 new works.

Akropolis' unique instrumentation and commitment to innovation have sparked a worldwide surge of reed quintets and established a lasting legacy. Its Grammy win brought new visibility and recognition, affirming the group’s dedication to musical excellence and community engagement. For Landry and Koeppe, this achievement is both a celebration and a testament to the enduring bonds formed at U-M.