Your Passion. Your Stage.

In addition to choosing a degree pathway, all music majors have a primary instrumental identity. Music majors that want to fully incorporate string studies into their curriculum must select violin, viola, cello, double bass, classical guitar, or harp when applying.

Work alongside artist teachers in private lessons and master classes

When you study strings at the Mary Pappert School of Music, you will work with world-class faculty who use their expertise to help you find and refine your distinctive sound to prepare you for your own individual goals, whether they be on the orchestra stage, in a recording studio, or in a classroom. All of our string faculty are active performers; many are members of the GRAMMY Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, as well as other professional ensembles including the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet Orchestras.

View String Faculty

Studying violin at Duquesne University means developing an award-winning technique while learning in a positive, motivating environment where every student is valued. Professors Charles Stegeman (Concertmaster, Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet Orchestras) and Rachel Stegeman (Concertmaster, Youngstown and Wheeling Symphony Orchestras) bring a combined 65+ years of teaching experience and have trained hundreds of students who now perform and teach at leading institutions and orchestras throughout the country and around the world. 

You will receive individualized instruction, high-level audition preparation, and practical strategies for performing at their best. You will also develop collaborative skills while performing in one of our orchestras, and with access to Pittsburgh’s professional music community, you will be inspired, make connections, and gain real-world performance experience.

The viola studio offers you a personalized and engaging musical education focused on technical growth, artistic development, and real-world performance experience. With more than 30 years of professional orchestral and teaching experience, Adjunct Professor of Viola and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra violist Marylène Gingras-Roy provides individualized instruction tailored to your bigger goals. You will develop strong technique, musicianship, interpretation, and musical independence while exploring solo and orchestral repertoire.

Beyond private lessons, you will join a supportive studio community and gain valuable experience through chamber music and the Duquesne Symphony & Chamber Orchestras.

The Duquesne University cello studio provides you with a comprehensive musical education that develops strong technical and artistic skills through weekly individual lessons. Instruction emphasizes relaxed and efficient playing, stylistic awareness, critical self-assessment, and expressive interpretation. You will also study essential orchestral excerpts in the Orchestra Repertoire class—which culminates in a mock audition—while gaining a deeper understanding of the history, repertoire, and development of the cello and other string instruments.

Duquesne cello students, under the instruction of Pittsburgh Symphony Assistant Principal Cellist Adam Liu, have achieved success in recent years in the annual Concerto Competition, earning opportunities to perform as soloists with the Duquesne Symphony Orchestra during regular season concerts. In addition, you will be able to participate in chamber music ensembles, further developing your collaborative, interpretive, and performance skills.

In addition to weekly hour-long private lessons, double bass students at Duquesne benefit from orchestral repertoire and literature, chamber music, and participation in one or both of the Duquesne orchestras.

No matter what major you choose, you will receive the same attention and care to help you improve your technique and musicianship. String Area Coordinator and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra bassist Aaron White provides dedicated individual time and attention to help you achieve your bigger goals in the professional music world. And as an alumnus of Duquesne University, himself, he can help guide you through your college career into the next phase of your journey.

With a curriculum certified by the Aaron Shearer Foundation, students studying classical guitar benefit from reinforced positive performance habits that will serve them on stage and in the teaching studio.

You can choose from any of our music degree programs while studying classical guitar. You can also participate in the Classical Guitar Ensemble and other chamber groups.

Studying harp at Duquesne includes regular one-on-one lessons, as well as Chamber Music, Performance Pedagogy, and Orchestral Repertoire and Literature classes. You will also gain ensemble experience in the Duquesne Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, wind ensembles, and chamber groups.

Regular master classes occur throughout the year with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Principal Harpist, Gretchen Van Hoesen and outside guest professional harpists.