Masterclass with Wesley Collins, Principal Viola of The Cleveland Orchestra
About Wesley Collins
Wesley Collins joined the viola section of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) in the fall of 2012 and became third-chair viola in November 2014. Before joining the BSO he had been a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2008-12.
Mr. Collins completed his bachelor of music degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music in May 2007, where he was a student of Robert Vernon. While in Cleveland, he played as a substitute with The Cleveland Orchestra, played in the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, and City Music Cleveland, and was assistant principal violist with the Akron Symphony Orchestra. His summer activities have included the Tanglewood Music Center, Sarasota Music Festival, Encore School for Strings, and the Pacific Music Festival.
Born December 17, 1984 and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Collins began studying violin with his mother, Sandy, at the age of four. He also played trumpet under the instruction of his father, Philip Collins, former principal trumpet of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He later switched to viola under the guidance and inspiration of Michael Klotz, violist of the Amernet String Quartet.
This masterclass has been organized by the School of Music and Michael Klotz Violist, of the Amernet String Quartet and Senior Instructor of Viola and Chamber Music for FIU. www.michaelklotzmusic.com