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.

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

Violin Faculty

Headshot of Gershon Gerchikov

Gershon Gerchikov, 

Associate Professor, Ariel Quartet member (violin)

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Headshot of Andrii Isakov

Andrii Isakov, 

Adjunct Instructor of Violin

513-442-6745

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Headshot of Alexandra Kazovsky

Alexandra Kazovsky, 

Associate Professor, Ariel Quartet member (violin)

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Headshot of Kristin I. Lee

Kristin I. Lee, 

Assistant Professor of Violin

513-556-0150

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Headshot of Timothy Lees

Timothy Lees, 

Assistant Professor, Educator of Violin

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Headshot of Stefani Matsuo

Stefani Matsuo, 

Adjunct Assistant Professor

513-556-3442

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Headshot of Kurt Sassmannshaus

Kurt Sassmannshaus, 

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

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Strings Department Chair

Headshot of Rachel Calin

Rachel Calin, 

Chair of Strings Department; Professor of Double Bass

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Performance Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of James Bunte

James Bunte, 

Division Head of Performance Studies; Professor of Saxophone

303-236-5900

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Headshot of Sarah Minneman

Sarah Minneman, 

Chamber Music Coordinator

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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.

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

1

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

May 20, 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.

2

CCM welcomes new violin faculty member Kenneth Renshaw

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Kenneth Renshaw as CCM's new Assistant Professor of Violin. His faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2025. Born and raised in San Francisco, Renshaw came to international attention in 2012 after winning First Prize at the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition in Beijing. He was also a prize winner in the Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition of Belgium, and First Prize recipient of the inaugural Manhattan International Concert Artists Competition.

3

Album by CCM faculty featured in the New York Times

April 25, 2025

Four CCM faculty members were recently highlighted in a New York Times roundup of notable new classical music albums. Entitled "5 Classical Music Albums You Can Listen to Right Now," the article spotlights the new album of Beethoven's string quartets performed by the Ariel Quartet, which has served as CCM's string quartet-in-residence since 2012. The ensemble is comprised of four CCM faculty members: Alexandra “Sasha” Kazovsky, violin; Amit Even-Tov, cello; Gershon Gerchikov, violin; and Jan Grüning, viola.

4

Watch selections from the CCM Philharmonia's Feb. 19 concert

April 7, 2025

The CCM Philharmonia student orchestra continued its 2024-25 concert season on Feb. 19, performing works inspired by the natural wonders and legends of Northern Europe and Russia. Dubbed "Northern Lights," the eclectic program included concertos by composers Alexander Scriabin and Sergei Prokofiev, giving student soloists a chance to shine. The concert concluded with a rarely-heard pairing of two stunning works by Finnish master Jean Sibelius. Selections from that concert are now available for on-demand viewing.

5

Renowned pianist Orion Weiss joins Ariel Quartet in March 25...

Event: March 25, 2025 7:30 PM

The Ariel Quartet, CCM's String Quartet-in-Residence, concludes its 2024-25 season with a program featuring music by Beethoven and Hungarian composer Ernő Dohnányi. Joined by pianist Orion Weiss, the concert takes place Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

6

CCM Opera presents Britten's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Event: March 6, 2025 12:00 AM

Step into a world of enchantment as the UC College-Conservatory of Music's Opera Series presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This opera fuses William Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy with Benjamin Britten's stunning musical score. This captivating production, directed by CCM Opera Professor Robin Guarino, offers a fresh perspective on the classic tale, exploring themes of love, transformation, and the power of the natural world.

8

CCM Philharmonia performs Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring' in...

Event: January 31, 2025 7:30 PM

The CCM Philharmonia wishes to summon spring early in its upcoming concert on Friday, Jan. 31. Titled "Wishful Thinking" the performance features spring-inspired works by Robert Schumann and Igor Stravinsky. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

9

Ariel Quartet opens CCM's 2025 ticketed performance series on...

Event: January 28, 2025 7:30 PM

CCM's string quartet in residence, the Ariel Quartet, opens the college's 2025 ticketed performance series at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Titled "Europe: From 1903 to 1945" the concert features works by Erwin Schulhoff, Benjamin Britten and Maurice Ravel. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

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