Violin

Close-up of a two female violin students performing on the Corbett Auditorium stage with the CCM Concert Orchestra

The study of violin 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.

Violin Faculty

Headshot of Gershon Gerchikov

Gershon Gerchikov

Associate Professor of Violin and Chamber Music, Ariel Quartet member

Headshot of Alexandra "Sasha" Kazovsky

Alexandra "Sasha" Kazovsky

Associate Professor of Violin and Chamber Music, Ariel Quartet member

Headshot of Timothy Lees

Timothy Lees

Assistant Professor, Educator of Violin

Headshot of Stefani Matsuo

Stefani Matsuo

Adjunct Assistant Professor

513-556-3442

Headshot of Kenneth Renshaw

Kenneth Renshaw

Assistant Professor of Violin

Headshot of Kurt Sassmannshaus

Kurt Sassmannshaus

Professor of Violin; the Dorothy Richard Starling Chair in Classical Violin


Strings Department Chair

Headshot of Rachel  Calin

Rachel Calin

Chair of Strings Department; Professor of Double Bass

Performance Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of James Bunte

James Bunte

Division Head of Performance Studies; Professor of Saxophone

303-236-5900

Headshot of Sarah Minneman

Sarah Minneman

Chamber Music Coordinator

Headshot of Claudia C. Penn

Claudia C. Penn

Executive Staff Assistant

513-556-3442

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.

Violin - 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.

All pieces should be performed from memory except for duo sonatas or the music composed after 1960.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • One movement from Bach Solo Sonatas or Partitas 
  • One movement from a standard concerto
  •  One Paganini or Wieniawski caprice

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • One movement from a J. S. Bach solo sonata or partita 
  • One movement from a standard violin concerto
  • One Paganini caprice or Wieniawski etude
  • One work of the applicant’s choice

Violin - MM, DMA, 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 and invited for an audition.

All pieces should be performed from memory except for duo sonatas or the music composed after 1960.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • One movement from Bach Solo Sonatas or Partitas 
  • One movement from a standard concerto
  • One Paganini or Wieniawski caprice

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Two contrasting movements from J. S. Bach Solo Sonatas or Partitas 
  • One fast movement of a standard concerto from either romantic period or the 20th century
  • One Paganini caprice or Wieniawski etude
  • One work of the applicant's choice

News and Events

3

Poiesis Quartet wins Grand Prize at Banff International String...

September 2, 2025

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta, Canada announced the Poiesis Quartet as the grand prize winner of the 15th triennial Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC). The CCM graduate student ensemble consists of artist diploma students Sarah Ying Ma (she/they) on violin, Max Ball (he/they) on violin, Jasper de Boor (they/them) on viola and Drew Dansby (he/him) on cello.

5

Poiesis Quartet to compete at Banff International String Quartet...

August 25, 2025

CCM graduate student ensemble the Poiesis Quartet is the only quartet in the USA to compete in the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC). At CCM, the Poiesis Quartet studies chamber music with the Ariel Quartet. Members are AD student Sarah Ying Ma, violin; AD student Max Ball, violin; AD student Jasper de Boor; and AD student Drew Dansby, cello.

6

Attend a concert or show at CCM: Fall schedule of major events...

August 19, 2025

Experience world-class performances by the next generation of performing and media artists at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)! The college’s fall 2025 schedule of major events is now available; tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

9

CCM welcomes Maggie Perrino as Assistant Dean of Prep and...

June 30, 2025

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras recently announced the appointment of Maggie Perrino as the college's new Assistant Dean of CCM Prep and Community Engagement. In this role, Perrino will lead a team of faculty and administrative staff at CCM Prep, which offers a wide variety of programs in music, dance and the theatre arts throughout the year for people of all ages and abilities. She will also oversee CCM’s Summer Programs for youth, teens and adults. Perrino's appointment begins on June 30, 2025.

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