From a boys’ juvenile home in Los Angeles to New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, The Pacifica String Quartet has connected with audiences from all over.

Ames Town and Gown will host the quartet at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall.

The quartet members are Sibbi Bernhardsson and Simin Ganatra, violins; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; and Brandon Vamos, cello. Based out of Chicago, they come from varying backgrounds, educated at the Overland Conservatory of Music and The Julliard School.

Vamos said the group was apprehensive before performing at the juvenile home. They didn’t know how the audience would react, but the boys were very receptive.

“They were such an accepting audience and asked a lot of questions,” Vamos said.

Touching audiences is one of the things that satisfies Pacifica the most. They have reached people overseas, playing concerts in Australia, Greece and Panama.

“Every concert is different,” Vamos said. “When we connect with the audience, we can feel it.”

Among Pacifica’s achievements include Grand Prize at the 1996 Coleman Chamber Music Competition, top prize at the 1997 Concert Artists Guild Competition and the 1998 Naumburg Chamber Music Award.

Another accomplishment Pacifica is proud of is their commitment to playing together. They enjoy what they do so it doesn’t feel like they are trying to make a living.

“As we mature as musicians we feel like we’re accomplishing,” Vamos said.

Next year Pacifica will be performing Elliot Carter’s “Five String Quartet” in one concert, something that hasn’t been done before.

“We play some of the best music ever written,” Vamos said.

Other plans include promoting their second album that will be released in October and working on another record. Pacifica also hopes to tour in Europe.

Saturday’s concert is sponsored by Ames Town and Gown. Stephen Willson, publicist for Ames Town and Gown, said its main objective is, “to bring live chamber music to audiences in Ames and to have it in an intimate setting so people can hear the detail of the music.”

Town and Gown is a non-profit organization which brings in five acts each year. Performances include solos or small groups of classical musicians: quartets, solo piano and voice, woodwinds and guitars.

Tickets will be available at the door for $20 or in advance at Rieman Music, Big Table Books and the ISU Music Department office. Students can get free tickets by showing their ID cards.

“It’s satisfying when we see younger people at our concerts,” Vamos said.