Skip to main content
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.
2024 Harp Day
Saturday, Nov. 16, a full-day harp event offering master classes open to harpists of all ages and abilities.

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
Assistant 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

Juan Riveros joins the MSU String Area
September 11, 2024

Harpist and educator brings fresh approach to harp studio.

Steadily strengthening strings
March 30, 2023

Students benefit from having working musicians as MSU teachers.

Right at home
February 8, 2023

Alumna Jean Lee comes full circle as instructor and coordinator of String Music Education.

Celebrating love with generosity
June 7, 2022

Orchestral undergrads get support from fund grown out of a shared passion for music.

Famed alumna inspires new series
January 1, 2021

Virtual master class series honors revered violin teacher and MSU alumna Dorothy DeLay.

Embedded Counselor begins work in Music and Arts & Letters
February 5, 2024

On-site availability of counseling strengthens health and wellness in the community.

Music Commencement, Spring 2024
April 27, 2024

Relive the moments celebrating Music graduates, including an address by jazz bassist Endea Owens.

View All News

Upcoming Events

October 24, 2024
Concert Orchestra, “Colorscapes”
7:30 pm
Wharton Center
MSU Orchestras

This program features Strauss’ Blue Danube, Foumai’s The Happiest Color, Rameau’s Les Sauvages, Jolley’s Blue Glacier Decoy, and Copley’s Gasoline Rainbows, conducted by Katherine Kilburn.

Event Details
$$$
Online
October 27, 2024
Symphony Orchestra, “A Sea of Talent”
3:00 pm
Wharton Center
MSU Orchestras

Features eight MSUArtist-faculty soloists in Martin’s Concerto for Winds, alongside Debussy’s La Mer and works by Viet Cuong, with a student-composed Fanfare, conducted by Octavio Más-Arocas.

Event Details
$$$
November 23, 2024
Symphony Orchestra: Bohemian Soul
8:00 pm
Wharton Center
MSU Orchestras

This concert features Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, Kodály’s Dances of Galánta, a Tuba Concerto by Ronald Newman performed by MSU faculty Philip Sinder, and a student-composed Fanfare, conducted by Katherine Kilburn.

Event Details
$$$
December 5, 2024
Concert Orchestra: Operatic Favorites
7:30 pm
Wharton Center
MSU Orchestras

This concert features beloved opera overtures and suites by Rossini, Bizet, Tchaikovsky, Offenbach, and Verdi, conducted by Zongheng Zhang and Daniel Jaggars.

Event Details
$$$
December 7, 2024
MSU Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, “Holiday Glory”
8:00 pm
Wharton Center
MSUFCU Showcase Series

Over 250 voices join the MSU Symphony Orchestra for an uplifting concert featuring Poulenc’s Gloria and selections from Handel’s Messiah, conducted by Sandra Snow and Jonathan Reed.

Event Details
$$$
View All Event Listings