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Giving & Alumni
College of Music
Giving & Alumni
College of Music
Degree Areas
Degree Areas

STRINGS

Areas
Ensembles

ABOUT THE STRING AREA

Students in the string area at MSU benefit from individualized attention from world-renowned faculty, extensive teaching, and performance opportunities. As part of their professional and academic development, students collaborate with peers, faculty, and guest musicians and entrepreneurs who participate in regular artist residencies on campus.

String majors attend weekly studio classes covering solo, chamber, and orchestral repertoire, alongside private lessons and master classes from guest artists. They can audition for MSU symphony and concert orchestras, chamber ensembles, and regional professional orchestras.

The program’s collaborative and supportive environment, led by expert faculty, fosters excellence. Successful applicants are automatically considered for competitive scholarships, and graduate applicants are eligible for assistantships and fellowships without needing a supplemental application.

Degree Opportunities and Requirements
Students focusing on disciplines within the String Area have a variety of degree opportunities to choose from.
Performance Opportunities
Students in the strings area have extensive opportunities to develop their skills through various groups and ensembles.
After Graduation
A very high percentage of our string graduates win positions with orchestras nationally and internationally.
Dorothy DeLay Masterclass Series
This masterclass series brings string students and the general public together with virtuosos, maestros and educators to explore technique, repertoire, and reflect on life as an artist.
Harp Day
Join us Nov. 1 for an annual day of harp playing, masterclasses, and presentations!

Faculty

Suren Bagratuni Suren Bagratuni
Professor of Cello and Chair of the String Area
Dmitri Berlinsky Dmitri Berlinsky
Professor of Violin
Kevin Brown Kevin Brown
Assistant Professor of Double Bass
Mike Chen Mike Chen
Assistant Professor of Viola
Yvonne Lam Yvonne Lam
Associate Professor of Violin
Eric Nowlin Eric Nowlin
Assistant Professor of Viola
Juan Riveros Juan Riveros
Instructor of Harp
I-Fu Wang I-Fu Wang
Associate Professor of Violin

Featured News

A Celebration of Joy and Unity this Holiday Season
November 14, 2025

MSU choirs and orchestra present Alegría Navideña at Wharton Center

Esteemed violinist Dmitri Berlinsky leads The Four Seasons
October 23, 2025

Amid fall colors, MSU’s West Circle Series opens with a vivid musical journey inspired by the changing seasons.

MSU Hosts the Dynamic Contemporary Sounds of American Modern Ensemble
October 1, 2025

Acclaimed guest ensemble in residence opens 2025–26 MSUFCU Showcase Series.

Music Major Among First to Earn Williams Scholarship
July 17, 2025

Ferndale High School valedictorian will major in Music Education.

Riveros Takes on New Role
April 3, 2025

MSU Strings faculty Juan Riveros wins position with Detroit Opera.

View All News

Upcoming Events

Saturday, December 6, 2025
Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, “Alegría Navideña”
7:30 pm
Wharton Center
MSUFCU Showcase Series

Conducted by Sandra Snow and Octavio Más-Arocas, Alegría Navideña brings together MSU ensembles for a festive celebration featuring Spanish-language works, Latin American rhythms, and a joyful sing-along to honor the spirit of the season.

Event Details
$$$
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Honors Competition
1:00 pm
Cook Recital Hall

This annual event showcases a select group of student musicians across a range of disciplines, where they present diverse repertoire to a panel of judges to compete for a chance to solo with MSU’s top ensembles.

Event Details
Free
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Adama Quartet
7:30 pm
Cook Recital Hall
Artist-Faculty and Guest Recital Series

Experience the premiere of Adama, a new quartet featuring MSU’s Guy Yehuda and Tasha Warren with guest artists Meg Okura and Dave Eggar, performing commissioned works inspired by the global Jewish diaspora.

Event Details
$$$
Friday, February 6, 2026
Symphony Orchestra, “Holst’s The Planets”
7:30 pm
Wharton Center
MSU Orchestras

The MSU Symphony Orchestra, under Octavio Más-Arocas, offers a sweeping program featuring Gala Flagello’s introspective Everything Beautiful, Holst’s iconic cosmic masterpiece The Planets, and a student-composed Sam and Mary Austin Fanfare.

Event Details
$$$
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Latin America & the Harp
7:30 pm
Cook Recital Hall
Artist-Faculty and Guest Recital Series

Enjoy the vibrant sounds of Latin America as MSU’s Juan Riveros performs a dynamic harp recital featuring works by Márquez, Ortiz, Suárez, Ginastera, and his own original compositions.

Event Details
$$$
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