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Brigitta BarandunView profile

Lecturer

• Music Education
• Didactics of Classical Violin
• Didactics of Classical Viola
• +4 more

Dr. Brigitta Barandun is a Lecturer in the didactics of classical violin and viola, as well as music education, affiliated with the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and actively teaching at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). She has been a faculty member since 2009, contributing significantly to music pedagogy and teacher training in Switzerland and beyond. Education: PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, 2016 Violin Teaching Diploma, Zurich University of Music (ZHdK), 1987 Primary School Teaching Diploma, Teacher Training College Chur, 1980 Studied violin and chamber music at Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris (1987–1989) Her research and professional focus lies in music education and the didactics of string instruments, particularly classical violin and viola. She has developed extensive expertise in subject-specific teaching methodologies and has contributed to national and international discourse through symposia and educational events in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France. Her work bridges performance practice and pedagogical theory, emphasizing effective teaching strategies in classical music. Dr. Barandun has been actively involved in mentoring and music instruction through formal teaching roles and private lessons since 1989. She has served as a lecturer for SMPV and SAMP (Swiss music teacher associations) from 1998 to 2009 and continues to teach at the Küsnacht Music School since 2014. She also contributes as an examiner and expert in music competitions. She is a performing musician, currently a member of the Zurich Symphony Orchestra (ZSO) since 2015 and the string quartet 'A la Q'Art' since 1998. She has taught at the international chamber music course in Schiers, GR (2015–2019), and regularly presents at music education symposia.

Simone von RahdenView profile

Professor

• Chamber Music
• Classical Music Performance
• Historically Informed Performance Practice
• +5 more

Simone von Rahden is a distinguished academic and musician, currently serving as a Professor of Chamber Music for Strings at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock (since October 2023). She holds a teaching position at the Hochschule für Musik 'Hanns Eisler' Berlin since 2014. Her career spans roles as a chamber musician, soloist, orchestral musician, and educator. She specializes in viola performance, historically informed performance practice, and early music. Education: Studied viola with Wolfram Christ at the Musikhochschule Freiburg and Tabea Zimmermann at the Hanns Eisler Berlin. Research interests include the communicative role of chamber music, period instrument performance (e.g., Mozart's string quintets), and pedagogical approaches to string instruments. She leads the Quartetto Bernardini, Ensemble Promena, and Spunicunifait, dedicated to early music exploration. Orchestral affiliations include the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Orchestra Mozart Bologna, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (2016–2021). As a soloist, she has performed with renowned orchestras such as the WDR Sinfonieorchester Cologne and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. No scientific awards listed, but her contributions to music performance and education are widely recognized.

• Music Education
• Violin Performance
• Viola Performance
• +4 more

Hannah Frey is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Music at Washington University in St. Louis, specializing in violin and viola instruction. She holds a Bachelor of Music (BM) and Master of Music (MM) from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Her roles include teaching at Washington University, the Kirkwood Schools' Elementary Strings Program, and maintaining a private studio. Education: BM & MM from Cleveland Institute of Music Her research interests span music education, performance practices, and integrating technology into music instruction. She actively composes and improvises music for theater productions, such as OnSite Theatre’s The Runaway Cupcake and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ The Last Cupcake . As a performer, she is first violinist of the Perseid Quartet and a member of Third Millennium World’s Fair. She has performed with renowned ensembles including the Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis, St. Louis Symphony, and Winter Opera St. Louis. Her performances span venues in Europe, the Cayman Islands, and across the U.S., including hospital concerts in Phoenix. She contributes regularly to the American String Teacher Journal and American Music Teacher Journal , focusing on pedagogy and repertoire reviews. No notable scientific awards or grants are listed, though her work emphasizes collaborative performance and educational innovation.

Jane StarkmanView profile

Professor

• Violin Performance
• Baroque Violin
• Viola
• +3 more

Jane Starkman serves as Professor of Music and Senior Music Performance Faculty at Wellesley College, specializing in violin, baroque violin, and viola. She maintains concurrent teaching appointments at Oberlin College’s Baroque Performance Institute and Boston University, while frequently appearing as a guest clinician at institutions including the Massachusetts Suzuki Festival and New England Conservatory of Music. Her formal education comprises: Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory of Music Master of Music from New England Conservatory of Music Professor Starkman’s performance expertise centers on historical string techniques, with emphasis on Baroque-era violin and viola interpretation. Her career spans transatlantic collaborations with premier early music ensembles, focusing on authentic performance practices of 17th-18th century repertoire through meticulous study of period instruments and stylistic conventions. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. As a founding member of The King’s Noyse and active performer with Handel and Haydn Society, Boston Baroque, and Smithsonian Chamber Players, she contributes significantly to early music preservation. Her pedagogical work extends to masterclasses at major festivals, though specific student mentorship details remain unlisted in available records. Key performance affiliations include Radio Orchestra Basel, Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Capella Clementina, and international ensembles across Italy and the Netherlands, demonstrating her established presence in both American and European early music circuits.

Ruth GibsonView profile

Tutor

• Chamber Music
• Orchestral Performance
• Classical Music
• +2 more

Ruth Gibson is a Tutor in Viola at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where she provides instruction to viola students. She is also the founder and artistic director of the String Quartet Collective, currently in residence at the Royal College of Music in London. Her professional experience demonstrates extensive expertise in viola performance and chamber music. Her work spans traditional classical repertoire as well as innovative cross-genre collaborations with contemporary artists. Ruth Gibson has received several prestigious awards including the Park Lane Group Award (2015), and as a member of the Finzi Quartet, she was a Prize Winner of the 2010 Royal Over Seas League Competition and the 5th Trondheim International String Quartet Competition in Norway. As an educator, Ruth Gibson mentors viola students at the Royal Northern College of Music. Her performance career includes extensive international touring and collaborations with renowned musicians such as Barry Douglas, Nick Tyson, and Keaton Henson. She has performed as Principal Viola with Camerata Ireland and as a guest with Manchester Camerata, Aurora Orchestra, and City of London Sinfonia. Ruth Gibson maintains an active performance schedule with Ensemble 360, Scottish Ensemble, and Nash Ensemble, regularly appearing at major concert venues worldwide including Wigmore Hall, Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and Berlin Konzerthaus.

Dirk MöllerView profile

Professor

• Physiotherapy
• Clinical Reasoning
• Biomechanics
• +4 more

Dirk Möller is a Professor of Physiotherapy at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. He holds a PhD in Medicine (Dr. rer. medic) from the University of Osnabrück (2017-2019). His academic career includes roles as a state-certified physiotherapist (since 1997) and clinical practice experience in private clinics and rehabilitation centers until 2015. His research focuses on clinical reasoning, movement analysis in musicians, and sensor-based diagnostic tools. He leads the MotionLab for biomechanical and physiological assessments of performing artists. Education : Sport Science Degree from German Sport University Cologne (2003), Physiotherapy Training (1997). Teaching**: Courses in clinical reasoning, musculoskeletal therapy, and musician physiology across bachelor’s and master’s programs. Research Interests**: Musculoskeletal health of musicians Biomechanics of instrumental performance Sensor-based clinical assessment tools Rehabilitation strategies for professional performers Publications**: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles on topics including musician health, clinical electromyography, and rehabilitation protocols. Notable work includes validation of pain assessment tools for musicians and 3D motion analysis in violin/viola players. Awards**: 2018 Alice G. Brandfonbrener Young Investigator Award (PAMA) for research on muscle activity and musician injuries. Grants/Projects**: Leads the RefLabPerform initiative to develop reference laboratories for performing artists' health assessments. Collaborates with institutions like Noraxon and the University of Lübeck. Labs/Teams**: MotionLab at Osnabrück University for interdisciplinary biomechanical research.

• Orchestral Music
• Viola Performance
• Classical Music
• +3 more

Milan Radic is a Lecturer in Orchestra Training (Viola) at the Strings Department of the Mozarteum University. He has been teaching there since 2008 and is a member of the Mozarteum Quartet. As a violist, he has been a soloist with prominent orchestras across Europe and Japan, including the Mozarteumorchester Salzburg since 1998. His performances include works like Giya Kancheli's 'Vom Winde beweint' with the RSO Bratislava and Berlioz's 'Harold in Italien' with the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. He also collaborates with the œnm - Österreichisches Ensemble für Neue Musik, focusing on contemporary music. Education Affiliations: Mozarteum University (current faculty). His research and performance interests span orchestral training, viola repertoire, and chamber music. He actively promotes Slovak musical heritage through solo performances in his native country. No specific grants or awards are listed, but his extensive performance history highlights his contributions to classical and contemporary music. He is involved with the Mozarteum Quartet and teaches within the School of Music & Art Education, emphasizing practical orchestral and instrumental training.

Muriel Garnet RazaviView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Contemporary Music Studies
• Musicology
• Iranian Cultural Studies
• +3 more

Muriel Garnet Razavi is a Senior Lecturer in Viola at the Mozarteum University's Strings Department in Salzburg, with an upcoming Professorial role at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen starting October 2023. She concurrently serves as Deputy Principal Viola of the MDR Symphony Orchestra Leipzig and mentors in the mentoringArts program at Leipzig University of Music and Theatre. Her research focuses on re-orientalism in works by Iranian female composers, conducted under Daniel Barenboim at Hamburg University of Music and Theatre. Awards include recognition for her performance of ancient eve is once again offering apples (2022 Dbü Competition) and victories in major international competitions. Razavi holds a Master of Music from the University of the Arts Berlin, a Bachelor’s in Near Eastern Studies (FU Berlin), and a Master’s in Religion and Culture (HU Berlin). She specializes in baroque viola performance with ensembles like the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. As a soloist, she collaborates with renowned artists such as Baiba Skride and performs globally with orchestras like the West Eastern Divan Orchestra and Anne-Sophie Mutter’s Virtuosi ensemble. She plays a custom viola by Patrick Robin and a historical-style baroque viola by Dorothea van der Woerd.

Philip BaldwinView profile

Associate Professor

• Violin
• Viola
• String Pedagogy
• +3 more

Philip Baldwin serves as Director of String Studies and Associate Professor of Violin at Whitworth University, where he has been a faculty member since 2005. He conducts the Whitworth Orchestra and is actively involved in string pedagogy and orchestral performance. Additionally, he holds roles as concertmaster and assistant conductor of the Coeur d’Alene Symphony, and was a former tenured member of the Spokane Symphony. Education: D.M.A., The Ohio State University Post-Masters Studies, University of Akron M.M., University of Akron B.M., Boston University Research & Expertise: Baldwin specializes in violin and viola performance, string methods pedagogy, and conducting. His work emphasizes fostering musicality in students and advancing orchestral techniques. He has presented extensively on topics such as bowing techniques, orchestral essentials, and NASM standards in applied studios. Awards & Affiliations: Recipient of the 2010 Collegiate String Teacher of the Year Award (American String Teachers Association, WA Chapter) Past President of the Washington State Chapter of the American String Teachers Association Teaching & Leadership: He teaches courses including chamber ensemble, string techniques, and advanced conducting. His students have achieved success in competitions, scholarships, and professional teaching roles. Baldwin also contributes to community music initiatives through master classes and adjudications. Performance Engagements: Maintains active roles with the Coeur d’Alene Symphony, Tacoma Symphony, and Southwest Symphony, alongside guest conducting and recital performances.

• Music Composition
• Chamber Music
• Vocal Music
• +3 more

Anna Weesner is a Professor of Music at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences, specializing in contemporary classical composition. A graduate of Yale (B.A.) and Cornell (D.M.A.), her work blends innovative textures with emotional depth, commissioned by ensembles like the Cygnus Ensemble and Lark Quartet. Educational Background: Yale University (B.A.), Cornell University (D.M.A.) Her research focuses on chamber music , vocal composition , and interdisciplinary collaborations , with commissions for string quartets, voice-and-ensemble works, and songwriting projects. Awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship, Virgil Thomson Award, and Pew Fellowship. Recent compositions explore haiku-based settings , dynamic instrumental interactions , and narrative structures in works like The Eight Lost Songs of Orlando Underground and Where Songs Go at Night . She teaches courses ranging from music theory to graduate composition seminars. Scientific Awards 2018 Virgil Thomson Award in Vocal Music 2009 Guggenheim Fellowship 2003 Pew Fellowship in the Arts Weesner's music has been performed by renowned ensembles including the Daedalus Quartet, Lark Quartet, and Riverside Symphony, with recordings on CRI, Albany Records, and Bridge Records. Her work has been praised for its 'haunting conspiracy' and 'surprising turns' by critics.

• Composition
• Contemporary Classical Music
• Orchestral Music
• +3 more

Ståle Kleiberg is a Professor at the Department of Music at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He is a major Norwegian composer with a considerable international reputation, whose works are widely performed in Norway and abroad, often commissioned by well-established orchestras, ensembles, and performers. His music has been published on eight albums that have received outstanding international reviews. Kleiberg's music is characterized by a highly distinctive form of extended tonality and meticulous attention to coloristic details, particularly evident in his orchestral works such as his first symphony, The Bell Reef , and his Violin Concerto . He has created significant large-scale works in oratorio and opera formats, including Mass for Modern Man (premiered in Nidaros Cathedral and Münchner Dom in 2015), David and Bathsheba (premiered in Nidaros Cathedral in 2008), and Requiem – for the victims of Nazi persecution (performed in Washington National Cathedral on September 11, 2004). His innovative approach, formal command, and technical mastery are particularly apparent in his extensive chamber music oeuvre, with a selection of six chamber works published in 2015 on the album Mezzotints – Chamber Music by Ståle Kleiberg . Kleiberg's Requiem forms the principal work in a trilogy dealing with victims of Nazi persecution, alongside the orchestral work Lamento: Cissi Klein in memoriam and the cello concerto Dopo . His recent compositions demonstrate continued exploration across multiple formats including concertos for various instruments, chamber music, and large-scale vocal works, showing consistent development of his distinctive compositional voice. Grammy nomination for Treble and Bass: Concertos by Ståle Kleiberg Grammy nomination for recording of David and Bathsheba Professor Kleiberg has supervised numerous master's theses at NTNU across diverse areas of music scholarship including composition techniques, music history, and music education. His academic work complements his compositional practice, particularly in areas related to Norwegian music history. His influence extends through both his compositions, which continue to be performed internationally, and through his academic role at NTNU where he shapes musical education in Norway.

Mario GheorghiuView profile

Professor

• Classical Music
• Jazz
• Viola Performance
• +1 more

Mario Gheorghiu serves as Professor at the Private University for Art and Music (MUK) since 2016 and holds the position of principal violist with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. His career bridges classical orchestral performance and contemporary jazz fusion. His core artistic domains include: Classical Music Jazz improvisation and composition Viola performance as principal orchestral instrument Violin performance in rock/jazz crossover contexts Notable creative initiatives: Founded jazz ensemble "Table 6" (2003) Created "Mario Gheorghiu's JAZZ Corner" (2011) Launched crossover band "Jetlag Allstars" (2013) He maintains active performance schedules across international venues including Porgy & Bess and Jazzland clubs in Vienna, with recent appearances at festivals in Jakarta, Bali, Paris, Osaka, Boston, and Bilbao. In April 2024, he conducted a string masterclass at Shanghai Normal University's Music College during the RSO China Tour as Guest Artist of JAM. No verifiable information exists regarding student advising or research grants. Collaborative highlights include performances with Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Michael Brecker, Vienna Art Orchestra, and Velvet Elevators, alongside a 2000 guest appearance with rock band "Extravaganza" featuring Conrad Schrenk and Thomas Lang.

Eric WongView profile

Assistant Professor

• Viola Performance
• Chamber Music
• String Performance
• +3 more

Eric Wong is Assistant Professor of Viola at the Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, where he contributes to the string performance and chamber music programs. He has performed at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Severance Music Center, Kings Place, Koerner Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, and the Banff Centre, and has been featured at festivals such as the Aspen Ideas Festival. Education: B.Mus., Cleveland Institute of Music M.M., Cleveland Institute of Music Wong is deeply committed to chamber music and music education, with a performance style praised for its rich, caramel-like tone. His expertise spans viola performance, string pedagogy, and ensemble collaboration. He has served as principal violist of CityMusic Cleveland and held leadership roles in the Akron and Canton Symphony Orchestras. His work reflects a strong dedication to artistic excellence and educational outreach, particularly through chamber music. Wong has been a guest clinician at institutions including Yale University, the Royal Academy of Music of Århus, the University of Toronto, and American University, and participates annually in summer festivals such as Encore Chamber Music Institute’s Summer Academy and Pacific Crest Music Festival. Selected Honors and Awards: Grand Prize and Gold Medal, Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Coleman-Barstow Prize, Coleman National Chamber Ensemble Competition ProQuartet Prize, 9th Borciani International String Quartet Competition 2011 A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Fellowship Winner, 2010 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition Wong was a member of the Afiara and Cavani String Quartets and a founding member of the award-winning Linden String Quartet. He is also recognized for his educational initiatives, including being selected as one of the first artist-educators for D’Addario’s "Strings 101" program in 2017. He frequently teaches and performs at international music festivals and institutions, advancing both performance and pedagogy in the string community. He has no listed advisees or publications in the provided text, but his influence extends through masterclasses, summer programs, and collaborative performances worldwide.

Manuela TopalbegovicView profile

Lecturer

• Violin Performance
• Viola Performance
• Chamber Music
• +2 more

Manuela Topalbegovic serves as a Lecturer of Applied Music (Violin & Viola) in the Department of Music at Washington University in St. Louis. She is an accomplished violinist and violist actively performing with major ensembles including the Perseid String Quartet (as second violinist), Union Avenue Opera, Bach Society of St. Louis, and Winter Opera across the Saint Louis region. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Music from Webster University, where she received the Buder scholarship for gifted students under Yuly Iliashov Master of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a graduate string quartet assistantship under Benny Kim and Gregory Sandomirsky Specializing in string performance, her artistic focus spans solo recitals, chamber collaborations, and orchestral repertoire. Her pedagogical approach integrates technical mastery with expressive interpretation through teaching positions at the Community Music School of Webster University and Webster Groves Elementary Schools Strings Program. As an educator, she mentors students across private studios and institutional programs while maintaining an active performance career with regional orchestras including Kingsbury Ensemble, Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis, and Paducah Symphony. Her collaborative work extends to frequent recitals with pianist Diana Umali and engagements with Salem Chamber Orchestra and Rosewood Ensemble.

Patricia PollettView profile

Professor

• Classical Music
• Chamber Music
• Viola Performance
• +3 more

Professor Patricia Pollett is a distinguished Casual Academic in the School of Music at The University of Queensland. Recognised as one of Australia's leading string teachers and performers, she specialises in viola and violin instruction. Her career spans international performances with ensembles like I Solisti Veneti and the White Halo Ensemble. Pollett holds qualifications from the University of Adelaide (BMus) and the Royal College of Music (ARCM). Her research focuses on Australian viola music and 20th-century ensemble works. Education: Bachelor of Music (BMus), University of Adelaide Associate of the Royal College of Music (ARCM), specialising in violin and viola Research & Performance Interests: Australian music for viola Twentieth-century chamber music Instrumental pedagogy Historical performance practices Performance Highlights: Member of the White Halo Ensemble and former member of Perihelion Collaborations with the Australian World Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Griffith Trio World premiere performances of Andrew Ford's 'The Scattering of Light' Awards: Churchill Fellowship (studied with Peter Schidlof and Bruno Giuranna) Teaching & Advocacy: Lectures in violin and viola at UQ Viola technique workshops focusing on sound production and instrument setup Active in music education initiatives across Australia Ensembles & Teams: White Halo Ensemble (current) Australian World Orchestra (frequent collaborator) Aether Instrumental Quintet (2010-2013) Bangalow Festival Players