ABOUT

Named a "2016 Emerging Artist” by the Mendocino Music Festival, violist Seth Van Embden is based in Chicago, IL. He is a member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra.

 

Seth received his Masters degree from Northwestern University as the recipient of the Charlotte Kickhaefer Davis and Ernest Davis Endowed Fellowship, studying with the renowned soloist Helen Callus. His previous studies consist of a dual degree in viola performance and music education from Rutgers University under the tutelage of Philadelphia Orchestra principal violist CJ Chang.

 

Seth has performed in solo, orchestral, and chamber settings all over the world including Italy, the United Kingdom, and China. He most recently performed with the Northwestern Baroque Ensemble playing the primo viola part of the Brandenburg Concerto 6.

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Seth is an enthusiastic performer of baroque music and has had the privilege to perform in many summer engagements, including the Dartington Music Festival and Berwick Academy of the Oregon Bach Festival. He is a founding member of Ensemble Affect, an early music group dedicated to bringing an old art form to new audiences.
 

Before his relocation to Chicago, Seth taught in the public-school system as an elementary orchestra director in Princeton, New Jersey. He also ran a private studio of over thirty students and served on faculty of the Mason Gross School of the Arts’ Extension Division. He is now on faculty at the Oak Park School of Music, teaches for the Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project and also runs his own private studio on the north side of Chicago.