Instrument: Violin/Chamber Music Connections, String Chamber Music Connections summer camp
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 2017
Molly McDonald graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance under the instruction of Juliana Athayde. She went on to study with William Preucil at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she was also part of the Intensive String Quartet Seminar led by Peter Salaff and the Cavani String Quartet.
She is a first violinist in the Rochester Philharmonic, and has also made orchestral appearances with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Kansas City Symphony, and the New World Symphony. Past festival engagements include the Tanglewood Institute, Music Academy of the West, and the National Repertory Orchestra, among others.
Prior to her position with the RPO, she was Assistant Principal Second violin in the Canton Symphony. She coaches chamber music at Hochstein in addition to her own private studio at home. Molly is a founding member of the Salaff String Quartet, along with three other RPO members, and remains an active chamber musician in addition to her orchestral career.
More About Molly McDonald
Hometown: Kansas City
What inspires me: Musicians who bring their own personality to their instrument, and who are dedicated to serving their art!
Why the arts matter: Without the arts, the world would be a much less beautiful place. Arts of every kind help us to express ourselves, explore our emotions, and celebrate what humans can achieve.
Favorite things to do in the Rochester area: Pop into one of the many excellent coffee shops in town
When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: gardening, playing chamber music, playing in the RPO, or walking in Highland Park with my husband Matt
My favorite local restaurant: Roux
Favorite places to travel: National Parks, Europe, or wherever our family is!
Favorite movie: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
What people would be surprised to know about me: I lived in a retirement home during the entirety of my Master’s Degree!