Megan Freivogel McDonough

Megan Freivogel McDonough serves as Associate Professor of Music and Artist in Residence at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she performs as second violinist and founding member of the Jupiter String Quartet. She also co-founded the East Coast Chamber Orchestra (ECCO), maintaining active performance and educational roles.

Education:

• Bachelor of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music
• Master of Music in Violin Performance and Master of Chamber Music, New England Conservatory

Artistic Focus: McDonough specializes in chamber music performance with emphasis on violin artistry and quartet collaboration. Her work centers on making classical music accessible through educational outreach, highlighting how ensemble training develops life skills like communication and creative problem-solving. She performs globally at venues including Carnegie Hall and Wigmore Hall, with regular summer residencies at Aspen, Bowdoin, and Madeline Island festivals.

Awards:

• Banff International String Quartet Competition Grand Prize
• Fischoff Chamber Music Competition Grand Prize
• Avery Fischer Career Grant
• Cleveland Quartet Award
• Young Concert Artists auditions

Artistic Leadership: As co-founder of the Jupiter Quartet, McDonough has recorded for Marquis Records, Deutsche Grammaphon, and Azica Records, with upcoming releases of Ligeti and Beethoven. Her educational philosophy emphasizes chamber music as a vehicle for personal growth, influencing her teaching approach at Illinois. She collaborates closely with husband Daniel McDonough (quartet cellist) and sister Elizabeth Freivogel (violist), creating a unique family-based artistic model.

Ensemble Work: The Jupiter Quartet maintains an international performance schedule while McDonough's ECCO project expands contemporary repertoire through its E1 Records debut album.