Ben Carson

Violin A native of Boston, MA, violinist Benjamin Carson has performed with ensembles across New England. He is a member of the Cape Symphony and the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, and often performs with BMOP, the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Bedford Symphony, and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. An avid performer of contemporary music, Mr. Carson was personally selected …

Jason Fisher

ChamberMusicLab Director, viola Violist Jason Fisher is a founding member and co-artistic director of A Far Cry. A child of the Northwest, Jason grew up in Seattle and is a proud enthusiast of rainy days. He first picked up an instrument at age 11 in elementary school when the orchestra teacher told him they needed “somebody to play the viola.” …

Matthew Heck

Director of the Conservatory Program at The Rivers School Matt Heck, the director of the Conservatory Program at The Rivers School, is a musicologist, writer, violinist, DJ, drummer, voiceover artist, singer, and actor. After attending Oberlin College, where he earned a BA in music, he went on to graduate studies in musicology at Brandeis University and completed a PhD. His …

Lauren Cless

Suzuki Violin, Suzuki Programs director Lauren Cless is an experienced pedagogue, orchestral violinist, and chamber musician. At the Rivers School Conservatory, she teaches Suzuki Violin and Chamber Music. In 2017, Lauren received the Certificate of Achievement from the Suzuki Association of the Americas, an award that recognizes teachers for their commitment to excellence, life-long learning, and self-improvement. Previously, Ms. Cless …

Taylor Stobinski

Suzuki Cello Taylor Stobinski is an active cellist frequently performing, teaching, and studio recording in the greater Boston area. Stobinski has served as faculty at several music schools and youth programs such as the Toledo Symphony Suzuki School of Music, Detroit Symphony WFA Youth Orchestras, Black Swamp Fine Arts School, and the Boston Landmarks. In addition to his teaching, Stobinski …

Claire Nalven

Rivers Youth Wind Ensemble Conductor Claire Nalven is a Music Educator, Conductor and Clarinetist. She holds degrees in Performance, Chamber Music and Anthropology from Northwestern University (BM/BA) and the University of Michigan (MM). She also holds K-12 Music Teaching Certification in Massachusetts. Claire currently teaches Band, Jazz Band, Chamber Music and AP Music Theory at Weston High School and Middle …

Kristen Krauss

Director of Studio Chamber Music Kristen Krauss is a violinist, teacher and the founder and director of Berkshire Summer Music, a two-week resident chamber music camp in Massachusetts that is currently in its eighth year. Kristen is on faculty at The School for Strings and teaches many private students in New York City where she uniquely combines her dedication to …

Jeri DiMarco Bergonzi

Jazz Piano Jeri grew up singing the songs of her beloved Laura Nyra and Joni Mitchell while listening to the progressive rock bands of the 1970’s.  After graduating from Boston College with a degree in philosophy and literature she decided to get serious about her piano playing.  She studied jazz improvisation with the legendary Charlie Banacos and followed her new …

Eugene Kim

Cello, ChamberMusicLab Cellist Eugene Kim has enjoyed a distinguished teaching career. He is the 2019 recipient of the Jean Stackhouse Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Preparatory Division of New England Conservatory. His students have performed concerti with the Boston Symphony (under Andris Nelsons), the Boston Pops (under Keith Lockhart), the NEC Youth Philharmonic and Youth Symphony Orchestras, the …

Jin-Kyung Joen

Violin, String Department Chair Violinist Jin-Kyung Joen has performed extensively in Italy, USA, Poland, Greece, and Korea for various music festivals and concert series. In addition to serving on the violin faculty of the New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School, as well as the Killington, Foulger and Bosa Antica (Italy) music festivals, Ms. Joen recently served as the Artistic Director of …