UWM Music Viola Studios and Orchestras Ensembles
UWM Music Viola Studios and Orchestras Ensembles
UWM Music Viola Studios and Orchestras Ensembles
UWM Music Viola Studios and Orchestras Ensembles
UWM Music Viola Studios and Orchestras Ensembles

Viola Studio

The viola studio provides high quality education for students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our mission is to prepare local, out-of-state and international students to succeed in a variety of careers in music: soloist, orchestra and chamber musician, and string educator. This preparation includes access to tracks in performance, chamber music, music education and string pedagogy. The student experience is enhanced by master classes offered by faculty and guest artists and performance opportunities in solo and chamber music settings on and off campus. Students interested in pedagogy and music education tracks can benefit from internships or clinics through the UWM String Academy, Milwaukee Public Schools and local strings programs such as Latino Arts or the Milwaukee Youth Symphony orchestra (MYSO).

Ensemble Opportunities

Youth & Community Ensemble Opportunities
We offer a diverse range of engaging and educational youth and community programs for artists of all ages, from children and teenagers to working adults and retirees. Visit our Youth & Community Programs page to learn more.

Guest Artists

Viola Master Class Guest Artists at UW-Milwaukee have included Peter Slowik, Tony Devroye, Matthew Michelic, Richard O’Neill and Ann-Marie Brink.

Alumni

UWM viola students have won positions with the Utah Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival, and the Sheboygan Symphony. They have also performed with the Chicago Philharmonic, the Joffrey Ballet, the Kenosha Symphony, the Wisconsin Philharmonic, the Lakeview Orchestra, the Oistrakh Symphony and the Festival City Symphony.

In addition to starting their own viola studios, our graduates have secured teaching positions that include joining the faculty at Lawrence University, the String Academy of Wisconsin, the Latino Arts String Program- Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Programs.

Entrance Auditions/Interviews & Admission

Peck School of the Arts degree programs may require additional steps to enter. For most dance, music and theatre programs, applicants must first be accepted to UWM, apply to Peck School of the Arts and complete entrance requirements such as an audition and/or interview.

Student Organizations & Clubs

Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.

Music Programs

Music studios and ensembles are connected to a variety of academic programs, including majors, minors, certificates and graduate programs. This is a full list of programs offered by the Department of Music.

Choral Director Zack Durlam gestures to the audience after receiving a standing ovation at the Zelazo Center.
MajorOn Campus
Music BFA
MajorOn Campus
Professor Rene Izquierdo sits in a chair next to a music performance mm student while both explore classical guitar chords.
Master’sOn Campus
UWM Jazz guitar student performs on stage at Jan Serr Studio
MinorOn Campus
Orchestra musicians performing with violins during a concert, focused on string section in warm lighting.
Master’sOn Campus
A conductor leads an orchestra during a UWM Symphony Orchestra performance.
Master’sOn Campus
A group of Music Education BFA students perform with percussion instruments in a classroom.
MajorOn Campus
Group of Music Education students performing in a classroom with percussion instruments during a music activity.
Master’sOn Campus
Mariachi ensemble performing on stage with violins, trumpet, and guitar in traditional attire.
Master’sOn Campus
Music Performers Certificate
Graduate CertificateOn Campus
Professor Dr. Bernard Zinck and a string pedagogy masters student play violins in a room with bookshelves and framed artwork.
Master’sOn Campus

Faculty

Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Music faculty and staff please click the button below.


  • Adjunct Professor, Viola
Important Dates

Music

Undergraduate Entrance Auditions
Music BA/BFA enrollment for Spring & Fall 2026.

 Friday, December 5, 2025
 Friday, February 13, 2026 (voice only)
 Monday, February 16, 2026
 Friday, March 6, 2026
 Friday, April 3, 2026
 Or by video submission

Graduate Applications
Fall: March 1 | Spring: December 1
Applications submitted after these dates will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may not be processed in time for the intended semester.

Contact
Music

Undergraduate Programs
Scotlyn Haverkorn, music-admission@uwm.edu

Graduate Programs
Tim Noonan, music-grad-admission@uwm.edu

General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763

Upcoming Music Events