Strings
As a string player, you strive to join a tradition of the best in repertoire and performance. At UIUC our faculty has long added luster to that tradition. Paul Rolland pioneered action teaching, developing a method now used worldwide. The Walden String Quartet was the first ensemble to teach in residence at an American university. Today’s string faculty continues the pursuit of excellence, spearheaded by the dynamic young Pacifica Quartet. In less than ten years the group, which originated on the West coast, has won the Coleman, Concert Artists Guild, Naumburg, and Cleveland Quartet competitions and awards and has become resident quartet at Lincoln Center in New York. Their many recording projects most recently have embraced all of Mendelssohn’s quartets, and innumerable living composers have written works for the personable, expressive, and innovative ensemble. Harpist Ann Yeung, an international competition winner, has trained several national competition winners in her studio. Violist Rudolf Haken composes and performs in virtuoso classical and pop idioms, cellist Laurien Laufman is known for her beautiful tonal control and agile technique, and bassist Michael Cameron concertizes internationally as a new music specialist. Violinists Sherban Lupu and Peter Schaffer impart their extensive solo and orchestral experience. As a string student at UIUC you will participate in outstanding ensembles, studio classes, and master classes and will find a faculty dedicated to helping you further the great string tradition.