Erica Schwartz

Student Sponsorship by Claudia & Michael Spies

Violist Erica Schwartz is originally from Albany, New York. Highlights of her 2017-2018 season include performances of the solo viola role in Strauss’ Don Quixote with the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, performances with Houston ensembles Kinetic and Musiqa, and participation in the New York Philharmonic’s Global Academy program as a Zubin Mehta Fellow. A committed chamber musician and recitalist, Ms. Schwartz has given solo and chamber performances in venues such as New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, Ozawa Hall, and the National Opera Center in New York City. Ms. Schwartz has recently appeared at festivals such as the Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto USA, the Banff Centre Chamber Music Residency, and Kneisel Hall. In addition to performing, Ms. Schwartz has held several arts administrative positions, interning at Make Music Boston and the Handel and Haydn Society. Ms. Schwartz holds a B.M. from the New England Conservatory and a B.A. in Political Science from Tufts University. While at NEC, her primary teachers included Roger Tapping and Dimitri Murrath. Ms. Schwartz is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, studying under the guidance of Ivo-Jan van der Werff. In her free time, Ms. Schwartz enjoys reading fiction, hiking, and cooking with friends.