Matthew Williams

Violist Matthew Williams was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and is an alumni of the North Carolina School of the Arts, The Juilliard School, The Berne University of the Arts, and is a Doctoral candidate at the University of Minnesota. He began his viola studies with Susan Barton and later teachers include Ulrich Eichenauer, Misha Amory and Korey Konkol. Matthew has participated in the Killington, Kneisel Hall, and Spoleto Festivals and has studied chamber music with members of the Mendelssohn, Brentano, Juilliard, and Fine Arts Quartets. He has maintained a vibrant freelance career and has performed with several orchestras and chamber orchestras including The Berne Symphony, Camerata Schweiz, The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and The Minnesota Orchestra. Performances this season include the premiere of “Test Pilot”, a new dance opera by composer Jocelyn Hagen and choreographer Penelope Freeh, as well as chamber music performances at The Baroque Room. In addition to performing, Matthew is also passionate about teaching and maintains a private studio in Minneapolis as well as co-founding Cambridge Summer Strings, a summer program for children, and teaching on the faculty of the Northern Lights Music Festival. He lives with his wife Anna and daughter Mara in Minneapolis and his hobbies include vegetable gardening, biking, and restoring vintage furniture.