Instrument/Department: Cello/Suzuki and Traditional Teacher
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2021 - 2023
Praised for his “directness of expression” (Rochester City Newspaper), Benjamin Krug is a tenured cellist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as well as an active Suzuki and traditional teacher at The Hochstein School and Kanack School of Musical Artistry. In recent summers, he has performed with the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, Chautauqua Festival Orchestra, and the Finger Lakes Opera.
As a chamber musician, Benjamin is a devoted member of the Salaff Quartet (with RPO musicians Thomas Rodgers, Molly McDonald, and Aika Ito), performing concerts throughout the Rochester community and serving as Outreach Ambassadors for the Society for Chamber Music in Rochester from 2017-2019. Benjamin can be heard on WXXI 91.5 Classical for his performances with SCMR and was featured on WXXI’s HomeStage in September 2020 with organist Peter DuBois.
Most recently, he and his harpist wife, Grace Browning, formed the Browning-Krug Duo that had its debut on WXXI 91.5 Classical “Live From Hochstein” in the Fall of 2021. Prior to his position in the RPO, Benjamin was a member of both the Akron and Canton symphonies and participated in summer festivals including the National Orchestral Institute, Aspen Music Festival, and Tanglewood Music Festival.
Beyond performing, Benjamin is a dedicated pedagogue, having completed Suzuki Books 1-4 teacher training and studying the method from the age of four. He also recently finished Creative Ability Development training with Alice Kanack. As a student of Stephen Geber, Benjamin graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music with his Master’s degree and Professional Studies Diploma, after receiving his Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance with departmental distinction from St. Olaf College.
Prior to his cello career, Benjamin was a celebrated boy soprano and graduate of the American Boychoir School, touring throughout the country and internationally from the age of 11 and performing and recording with world-class orchestras.
More About Benjamin Krug
Hometown: Royal Oak, MI
What inspires me: Great teachers and mentors who facilitate the growth of the individual with character development being the core principle.
Why the arts matter: The arts matter because they are the most authentic expression of the creative human spirit. Arts allow us to connect with one another in a deep way that transcends barriers.
When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: Playing in the cello section of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
My favorite local restaurant: Roux
What people would be surprised to know about me: My voice can be heard in the movie “Interview with the Vampire” (1994) during the opening credits.
In my spare time: I enjoy playing outreach concerts with my harpist fiancée and can be found taking walks in the 19th Ward with my Devon rex rescue cat, Pippa.