Violist Jonathan William Brown joins Colburn School faculty as professor of chamber music

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The Colburn School has announced that violist Jonathan William Brown will join the Conservatory of Music faculty as professor of chamber music, beginning 1 July 2024. Brown will oversee a comprehensive strings and piano chamber music programme, provide the vision and structure for sequential chamber music training at all levels, and oversee all chamber music performances.

He also joins the chamber music and viola faculty in the Music Academy, Colburn’s training programme for gifted young pre-collegiate musicians.

’I’m honoured to join the Colburn School and contribute to its vibrant community,’ said Brown. ’It’s a privilege to further develop the rich legacy of chamber music education here, guiding students toward artistic growth and professional excellence. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues to cultivate a supportive environment where every student can thrive and fulfill their potential.’

As an educator, Brown has been professor of viola and chamber music at ESMUC in Barcelona and since 2011 assistant professor of viola at the Escuela Reina Sofía in Madrid. Outside of these positions, he has given masterclasses across Europe and the US.

Originally from Chicago, Brown’s principal viola teachers were Martha Strongin Katz, Karen Tuttle, Heidi Castleman, Thomas Riebl and Veronika Hagen, with further influence from Ferenc Rados and György Kurtág.

Brown has been the violist of the Cuarteto Casals since 2002, with which he has performed in all of the major concert halls in Europe, North America, and Asia as well as making numerous recordings on the Harmonia Mundi label.

As a guest violist, he has performed with the Tokyo, Jerusalem, Kuss, Marmen, Miro, Zemlinsky, Quiroga and Armida quartets and has been on the jury of international quartet competitions in London, Salzburg, Prague and Katowice. Brown has also been an artistic director of the Da Camara chamber orchestra, the contemporary ensemble FUNKTION, and Musethica Spain.

’Jonathan William Brown’s impressive background as a member of an acclaimed string quartet, an entrepreneurial artist, and gifted teacher and mentor makes him positioned to guide our students as they prepare for professional careers,’ said Lee Cioppa, dean of the Conservatory of Music.

’With Jonathan as professor of chamber music, we look forward to further nurturing our collaborative chamber music culture and having his unique voice contribute to the exceptional training provided at the Colburn School.’

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