Eric Nowlin

viola

Principal Violist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Eric Nowlin has performed extensively throughout the United States as well as abroad. Eric’s performance of Berlioz’ Harold in Italywith the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and conductor Leonard Slatkin was described by Classical Source as “outstanding…his distinctive timbre and sovereign musicianship at one with Slatkin’s perfectly paced account… totally compelling.” Past accomplishments include receiving second prize in the Walter W. Naumburg Competition, first prize in the Irving Klein International String Competition, first prize in the Hellam Young Artists Competition, grand prize in the Naftzger Young Artists Competition, and winning the Juilliard Viola Concerto Competition. Performances have included solo engagements with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Springfield Symphony in Missouri, Santa Cruz Symphony, Peninsula Symphony, and the Kumamoto Symphony in Japan, as well as recitals in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, and Mexico.

Eric was the violist of the Juno and Opus Award-winning New Orford String Quartet for 10 years. Other chamber music activities have included participating in festivals such as the Marlboro Music Festival and the Steans Institute for Young Artists.

Eric was previously the Associate Principal viola in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and has served as guest principal viola with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He is Associate Professor of Viola at Michigan State University. He received his education from The Juilliard School as a student of Samuel Rhodes. Eric plays on a 1757 J.B. Guadagnini viola on generous loan from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. For more information, visit dso.org/eric-nowlin.