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.

Viola Faculty

Headshot of Rebecca M. Barnes

Rebecca M. Barnes

Adjunct Instructor of Viola

Headshot of Catharine Carroll Lees

Catharine Carroll Lees

Professor of Viola, Geraldine B. Gee Chair of Viola

Headshot of Jan Grüning

Jan Grüning

Associate Professor of Viola and Chamber Music, Ariel Quartet member

Headshot of Brian Hong

Brian Hong

Assistant Professor of Viola


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.

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
  • One movement from a cello suite of J. S. Bach
  • Exposition and cadenza (if applicable) 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
  • One movement from either a cello suite, violin partita or violin solo sonata of J.S. Bach
  • Exposition and cadenza (if applicable) 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
  • One movement from either a cello suite, violin partita or violin solo sonata of J.S. Bach
  • Exposition and cadenza (if applicable) 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

News and Events

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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

New York Times article on notation in classical music features...

August 20, 2025

At UC's College-Conservatory of Music, tomorrow’s arts luminaries work with today’s industry leaders. CCM is home to an international faculty of dedicated educators who are also celebrated performers and arts professionals in their own right. The New York Times recently turned to one of CCM's performing arts experts to weigh in on the topic of what musicologists call "paratext:" words—or even illustrations—that composers sometimes leave alongside their musical notation, which musicians then need to interpret as they try to bring a composer's idea to life.

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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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