Ellen dePasquale

Widely acclaimed for the beauty of her playing, refined musicianship, and leadership, Ellen dePasquale has earned a reputation as a distinguished performer, educator, and mentor. Originally from Philadelphia, she studied both violin and viola at the Curtis Institute of Music and went on to pursue graduate studies at Indiana University under the tutelage of Miriam Fried before being appointed Concertmaster of the Florida Orchestra in 1996.

From 1999 to 2007, Ms. dePasquale served as Associate Concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra. During her tenure, she frequently appeared as a soloist with the orchestra and was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Piano Trio. A frequent guest concertmaster, she has collaborated with orchestras across the United States and Canada, such as the Pittsburgh Symphony, National Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Houston Symphony, National Arts Center Orchestra, and the Santa Fe Opera. She is a former member of the Saint Louis Symphony, having served as Acting Associate Concertmaster, and most recently held the position of Concertmaster of the Dallas Opera.

A passionate and dedicated pedagogue, Ms. dePasquale is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of musicians. She is currently on the faculties of The Juilliard School Pre-College Division, Aspen Music Festival and School and Montclair State University, while previously holding teaching positions at Indiana University, Temple University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Encore School for Strings, and the University of South Florida. In addition to giving regular masterclasses, her comprehensive approach to teaching includes leading violin repertoire classes, coaching chamber music, as well as teaching violin and viola literature courses. She is highly regarded for her work in leading orchestral sectionals and collaborating closely with emerging composers and conductors.

Renowned for her versatility as a performer, Ms. dePasquale is a regular guest at leading music festivals throughout the United States. Her appearances include the Aspen Music Festival, Caramoor Festival, Evian Music Festival, La Musica, Marlboro Music Festival, Nevada Chamber Music Festival, and internationally at the Sangat Music Festival in Mumbai, India. She has also been a featured artist at the National Orchestral Institute, New World Symphony, Kent Blossom Music Festival, and most recently joined the faculty at the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival.

Volunteerism and community outreach have always been central to Ms. dePasquale's life. Alongside offering free violin and viola lessons to students in East Cleveland, she has shared her musical talents and offered support to patients at the Taussig Cancer Center and the Palliative and Supportive Care Department of the Cleveland Clinic. Additionally, she has dedicated her time to tutoring in reading, math, and English as a Second Language, enriching the lives of learners from diverse backgrounds.

Currently based in the New York City area, Ms. dePasquale maintains an active performance schedule with prestigious ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, along with giving chamber music concerts and participating in studio recordings. Through her commitment to performing and teaching, she continues to inspire and guide musicians of all ages and backgrounds through her sincere dedication to artistry, collaboration and education.