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Viola

Viola students perform in a production of Bach's St. Matthew Passion conducted by Maestro Earl Rivers

The study of viola at CCM is strongly performance based. The cornerstone of all degree programs is private lessons with faculty, who serve as mentors for students and direct their individual musical, performing and teaching growth. 

The curriculum emphasizes the development of the well-rounded, holistic musician by providing a solid background in music history and theory as well as areas specific to each musical medium. Undergraduate students enjoy a close collaboration with the University of Cincinnati through a general education core that supplements their education with academic course work while graduate students specialize more precisely in their chosen field.

Learn More About the BM Program Learn More About the MM Program Learn More About the DMA Program Learn More About the AD Program

Faculty

Headshot of Rebecca M. Barnes

Rebecca M. Barnes, 

Adjunct Instructor of Viola

513-556-3442

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Headshot of Catharine Carroll Lees

Catharine Carroll Lees, 

Professor of Viola, Geraldine B. Gee Chair of Viola

513-903-7927

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Headshot of Jan Grüning

Jan Grüning, 

Associate Professor, Ariel Quartet member (viola)

513-556-6489

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Headshot of Ayane Kozasa

Ayane Kozasa, 

Assistant Professor of Viola

708-822-5161

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Performance Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of Daniel Weeks

Daniel Weeks, 

Interim Division Head of Performance Studies; Associate Professor of Voice

513-556-6830

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Headshot of Sarah Minneman

Sarah Minneman, 

Chamber Music Coordinator

513-556-3442

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Headshot of Claudia C. Penn

Claudia C. Penn, 

Executive Staff Assistant

513-556-3442

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CCM's admissions process begins on August 1 (undergraduate) and September 1 (graduate) for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 1 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.

Viola - BM

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Two contrasting movements from a cello suite of J. S. Bach
  • First movement from a standard viola concerto
  • One movement from a work of your choice

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Two contrasting movements from a cello suite of J. S. Bach
  • First movement from a standard viola concerto
  • One movement from a work of your choice

Viola - MM, DMA

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admission.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Two contrasting movements from either a cello suite, violin partita or violin solo sonata of J.S. Bach
  • First movement from a major viola concerto by a composer such Walton, Bartok, Hindemith, etc.
  • One movement from a 20th/21st century composer written after 1960

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Two contrasting movements from either a cello suite, violin partita or violin solo sonata of J.S. Bach
  • First movement from a major viola concerto by a composer such Walton, Bartok, Hindemith, etc.
  • One movement from a 20th/21st century composer written after 1960

Viola - AD

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Two contrasting movements from either a cello suite, violin partita or violin solo sonata of J.S. Bach
  • First movement of a major viola concerto such as Walton, Bartok, Hindemith, etc.
  • One movement from a 20th/21st century composer written after 1960
  • Choice of one of the below:
    • One movement from a sonata or concerto written during the Classical Era
    • One movement from a sonata or suite written during the Romantic Era

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Two contrasting movements from either a cello suite, violin partita or violin solo sonata of J.S. Bach
  • First movement of a major viola concerto such as Walton, Bartok, Hindemith, etc.
  • One movement from a 20th/21st century composer written after 1960
  • Choice of one of the below:
    • One movement from a sonata or concerto written during the Classical Era
    • One movement from a sonata or suite written during the Romantic Era

Bravos. Without Barriers.

Funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, CCM's Diversity Fellowship program with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is a prestigious performance fellowship program for exceptional string players.

The program provides an unparalleled two-year learning experience for graduate-level violin, viola, violoncello and double bass players coming from populations that are historically underrepresented in classical music.

We will begin accepting applications for the next class of CSO/CCM Diversity Fellows on Sept 1, 2022. The application deadline is Dec. 1, 2022.

Learn More About the CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship

News and Events

1

Ariel Quartet featured on 'Today Show'

April 28, 2023

The Today Show featured four familiar faces in an April 27 segment. The members of the Ariel Quartet, CCM’s string quartet-in-residence, performed music and spoke during an NBC news segment highlighting Violins of Hope, an organization dedicated to restoring violins that belonged to Holocaust victims and survivors. CCM faculty members Alexandra Kazovsky and Gershon Gerchikov, who serve as the Ariel Quartet's two violinists, performed on restored instruments during the segment.

2

CCM apparel now available for purchase online

March 23, 2023

Back by popular demand, official CCM-branded apparel is now available for purchase online! Show your school spirit this spring with official UC College-Conservatory of Music apparel. The CCM Tribunal is sponsoring the college's spring apparel campaign to help raise funds for student initiatives. CCM-branded t-shirts, hoodies and quarter-zip pullovers are available for purchase online now through April 23, 2023.

3

Ariel Quartet welcomes world renowned cellist for Feb. 21 concert

Event: February 21, 2023 7:30 PM

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music is pleased to announce the collaboration of the Ariel Quartet, CCM’s String-Quartet in Residence, and famed cellist Edward Arron. Witness the live culmination of this partnership in concert at 7:30 p.m. on February 21. Get your tickets now through the CCM box office!

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