Ben Magruder

Violist Ben Magruder is a recent Eastman School of Music graduate, just beginning a professional career in performance and music education. During his time at school, he studied with George Taylor, Peter Slowik, and Carol Rodland. He performs and competes in the unique ¡Voila! viola trio – an award-winning ensemble dedicated to illuminating others to the unique possibilities of the viola. Ben has a passion for teaching as well, having completed an education degree in addition to his performance studies. He regularly conducts, teaches group strings and teaches general music while maintaining a private studio. He spends his summers in Brainerd, Minnesota as a fellow with the Lakes Area Music Festival where he also helped begin a general music camp for local children. Magruder plays as a substitute with many local orchestras including: The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, and the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. A born multi-instrumentalist, Ben has never been able to resist a new instrument. He enjoys playing guitar or drums with a rock band as well as singing with a church choir as the tenor section leader. He also loves to cook and helped keep himself afloat through college as a chef at a fine restaurant and private chef. When he gets the chance, Ben likes to play chess and racquetball.