As part of Lamont’s violin studio, you will benefit from countless avenues to explore and develop your skills. Our diverse ensembles include symphony orchestra and opera, as well as chamber, world and contemporary groups. Violinists at Lamont study with international performers Linda Wang, Igor Pikayzen and Yumi Hwang-Williams and benefit from the pedagogical expertise of Laura Schleiger.
Since her debut with Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic at the age of nine, Professor Wang has performed concerti with more than 70 ensembles and maintains a worldwide presence as a performer and educator. Professor Pikayzen performed his concerto debut at the age of eight with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra and has since appeared as a soloist with major orchestras spanning Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Professor Hwang-Williams is the concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony and has performed as a soloist and chamber musician across the globe. Professor Kathleen Spring has been an active violin teacher for over 35 years. As a registered Teacher Trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas, she teaches both students and adults.
Recent master class guests have included Gil Shaham, Midori and Andres Cardenes.
The Celebrated Artist-Teacher String Series (CATS) brings together a unique, world-class series of celebrated artists-teachers from university music schools across the nation.
Learn more
Auditions
Applicants may choose to either audition in person in Denver OR submit a recorded video audition.
Applications received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You may indicate your preference for a live or virtual audition on the Lamont application.
Click here to view the current year’s audition dates and the full steps for how to apply.
Audition Repertoire Requirements
Undergraduate (BA, BM, minor)
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In-Person Audition Requirements
All auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. The applicant will choose one of their prepared works to perform. The faculty will choose the second of the prepared works and possibly an additional work as well.
BM and BA
- One major and one minor scale of your choice with arpeggios (three octaves)
- One movement of a standard concerto, minimum difficulty level of Bruch Violin Concerto (memorization required)
- One movement of an unaccompanied Bach Violin Sonata or Partita (memorization required)
- One etude of your choice, minimum difficulty of Kreutzer, 42 Studies
Minor
- Two contrasting works that best demonstrate your technical and musical abilities
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Video Audition Requirements
Applicants unable to travel to Denver for a live audition may submit a video audition via the Lamont application. Repertoire may be recorded separately in multiple takes; editing within each take is prohibited.
BM and BA
- One major and one minor scale of your choice with arpeggios (three octaves)
- One movement of a standard concerto, minimum difficulty level of Bruch Violin Concerto (memorization required)
- One movement of an unaccompanied Bach Violin Sonata or Partita (memorization required)
- One etude of your choice, minimum difficulty of Kreutzer, 42 Studies
Minor
- Two contrasting works that best demonstrate your technical and musical abilities
Graduate (MM, certificate, Suzuki pedagogy, AD)
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In-Person Audition Requirements
All auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. The applicant will choose one of their prepared works to perform. The faculty will choose the second of the prepared works and possibly an additional work as well.
MM in Performance
- One major and one minor scale of your choice with arpeggios (three octaves)
- Two movements of a major Romantic or contemporary concerto
- Two movements (slow and fast) of an unaccompanied Bach Sonata or Partita
- A composition of your choice
Certificate in Performance
- One major and one minor scale of your choice with arpeggios (three octaves)
- One movement of a major Romantic or Contemporary concerto
- One movement of an unaccompanied Bach Sonata or Partita
- A composition of your choice
Review Requirements for Artist Diploma
Review Requirements for Certificate in Orchestral StudiesMM in Suzuki Pedagogy
- One major and one minor scale of your choice with arpeggios (three octaves)
- Two movements of a concerto, minimum difficulty level of the Barber Concerto
- Two movements (slow and fast) of an unaccompanied Bach Sonata or Partita
- One etude of your choice, minimum difficulty level of the Rode 24 Caprices
Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy
- Level 1: Two contrasting pieces of your choice, minimum difficulty level of Seitz's Concerto No. 5, 1st movement or Vivaldi's Concerto in A minor, 3rd movement
- Level 2: Two contrasting pieces of your choice, minimum difficulty level of Mozart's Concerto No. 4 or 5, 1st movement with cadenza
Students are required to receive acceptance for teaching training through the Suzuki Association of the Americas. The Suzuki Association is responsible for all Suzuki teacher training that takes place in the Americas and approves and supports the University of Denver Lamont School of Music as a university long-term training center for Suzuki Method Violin and Cello. A video of your performance must be sent into the Suzuki Association. For audition guidelines, please click here.
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Video Audition Requirements
Applicants unable to travel to Denver for a live audition may submit a video audition via the Lamont application. Repertoire may be recorded separately in multiple takes; editing within each take is prohibited.
MM in Performance
- One major and one minor scale of your choice with arpeggios (three octaves)
- Two movements of a major Romantic or contemporary concerto
- Two movements (slow and fast) of an unaccompanied Bach Sonata or Partita
- A composition of your choice
Certificate in Performance
- One major and one minor scale of your choice with arpeggios (three octaves)
- One movement of a major Romantic or Contemporary concerto
- One movement of an unaccompanied Bach Sonata or Partita
- A composition of your choice
Review Requirements for Artist Diploma
Review Requirements for Certificate in Orchestral StudiesMM in Suzuki Pedagogy
- One major and one minor scale of your choice with arpeggios (three octaves)
- Two movements of a concerto, minimum difficulty level of the Barber Concerto
- Two movements (slow and fast) of an unaccompanied Bach Sonata or Partita
- One etude of your choice, minimum difficulty level of the Rode 24 Caprices
Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy
- Level 1: Two contrasting pieces of your choice, minimum difficulty level of Seitz's Concerto No. 5, 1st movement or Vivaldi's Concerto in A minor, 3rd movement
- Level 2: Two contrasting pieces of your choice, minimum difficulty level of Mozart's Concerto No. 4 or 5, 1st movement with cadenza
Students are required to receive acceptance for teaching training through the Suzuki Association of the Americas. The Suzuki Association is responsible for all Suzuki teacher training that takes place in the Americas and approves and supports the University of Denver Lamont School of Music as a university long-term training center for Suzuki Method Violin and Cello. A video of your performance must be sent into the Suzuki Association. For audition guidelines, please click here.
Faculty
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Lamont student Jordan Curry.
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A Lamont violin student during her lesson.
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Lamont violins perform with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra.
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Linda Wang.
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Igor Pikayzen.
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Yumi Hwang-Williams.
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Kathleen Spring.
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Prof. Pikayzen teaching a Zoom lesson during the pandemic.
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A Lamont string quartet performs during the annual Honors concert.
