Stefan Hersh, Violinist

Violinist Stefan Hersh brings a unique confluence of skills to his role in launching the Guarneri Hall not-for-profit: he has had a varied career as a chamber, soloist, and orchestral musician. He served as Principal Second Violin of the Minnesota Orchestra from 1991-1995, and Associate Concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony from 1989-1991. Hersh was a founding member of many chamber ensembles, including the Chicago-based Callisto Ensemble (2003-2010) and the Chicago String Quartet (1995-2000). He has appeared as a featured guest artist in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Hersh was Associate Professor at De Paul University from 1995-2003 and joined the Roosevelt University faculty in 2003-2005 and has led teacher training seminars around the US. 

Stefan Hersh has been featured as a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony, the Illinois Philharmonic, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and regional orchestras throughout the United States. He has been heard as a recitalist and chamber musician at the Ashburton Chamber Music Festival in Devon, England, the Cremona International Music Academy and Festival in Cremona, Italy, Festicamara in Medellin, Colombia, the Campos do Jordao Festival in Brazil, and in the United States at the Colorado College Summer Festival, the Olympic Music Festival, the Moab Music Festival, the Taos Summer Music Festival in New Mexico, the Tucson Winter Festival, and the Mendocino Music Festival in Northern California. 

In addition to his performance and teaching activities, Stefan Hersh is an expert appraiser in rare violins and bows. He is a partner with Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins in Chicago (founded in 2006) under whose aegis he travels the world evaluating rare antique string instruments and bows. Hersh has published numerous articles on important antique lutherie in periodicals such as the Strad Magazine, the Cozio Archive, and for Soundpost Online. He has given lectures on the origins of the violin at institutions of higher learning including the Eastman School of Music, The Juilliard School, The University of Western Michigan, and Southern Methodist University.