Hasse Borup

Hasse Borup is a Professor of violin and Head of String and Chamber Music Studies at the University of Utah School of Music. He has held this position since July 2017, following promotion from Associate Professor (2011-2017) and Assistant Professor (2005-2011). His leadership extends to directing the University of Utah Chamber Music Workshop since 2009 and previously directed the Chamber Music Institute at Music@Menlo Festival (2005-2009).

Dr. Borup's educational background includes a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Maryland (2001), an Artist Diploma from the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music (1994), and a Graduate Professional Diploma from the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford (1998). His principal teachers were Arnold Steinhardt, Philip Setzer, David Takeno, Almita Vamos, David Salness, and Peder Elbaek, with additional work with renowned quartets and musicians including Isaac Stern.

His research and creative work centers on violin performance and interpretation, with a focus on bringing lesser-known composers to wider audiences. Dr. Borup has released critically acclaimed recordings of complete works by Danish composer Carl Nielsen, American composer Vincent Persichetti, and Danish romantic composer Niels W. Gade. His recording of Persichetti's works was described by Fanfare Magazine as 'Among the most important releases I encountered this year.' He has also pioneered innovative approaches to addressing climate change through his co-direction of the Artivism4Earth project, which integrates artistic expression with scientific understanding of environmental issues.

Dr. Borup's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent commitment to expanding the violin repertoire across centuries of composition, from romantic works by Gade to modern compositions by Persichetti and Shatin. The critical acclaim for his recordings, including descriptions like 'Interpretative Empathy and Watertight Ensemble' (The Strad) and 'Landmark CD' (Musicweb), highlights his significant contributions to the field through both technical mastery and interpretive depth.

His achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious honors:

• Winner of the inaugural Anthem Awards (bronze) in 2022 for Artivism4Earth
• Grammy Nomination for Best Producer from The Recording Academy of America (2010)
• Prize Winner at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition (1998)
• Soloist Competition Prize Winner from the International Yamaha Foundation (1992)
• International Yamaha Music Prize (noted as the only Dane to win)
• Teacher/Chamber Coach Award from Music Teachers National Association (2014)

As an educator, Dr. Borup has secured significant grants to support his recording projects, including funding from Augustinus Fonden Copenhagen Denmark and the Anne Marie Carl Nielsen and Carl Nielsens Fund for his Carl Nielsen recordings. He frequently mentors students through the University of Utah Chamber Music Workshop and has established chamber music outreach programs to Salt Lake Valley high schools. His teaching extends internationally through regular appointments as Guest Professor at the Saarburg Festival in Germany.

Dr. Borup co-directs the innovative Artivism4Earth project (artivism4earth.org), which brings together prominent artists, educators, and scientists to create performance pieces informed by climate change science. This initiative represents a unique intersection of his musical expertise and commitment to addressing pressing societal issues through artistic expression, as featured in The Salt Lake Tribune and @TheU.