Bienen School of Music

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Rufus Reid holding upright bass
Rufus Reid
Music
Oct 04, 2025

An active presence in the jazz world since the 1970s and hailed as “a mesmerizing player” by Jazzwise, bass player and Northwestern alumnus Rufus Reid has recorded over …

Lutenist Paul O'Dette and tenor Aaron Sheehan
Paul O’Dette and Aaron Sheehan
Music
Oct 25, 2025

One of the most influential figures in his field, lutenist Paul O’Dette has helped define the technical and stylistic standards to which 21st-century performers of early music aspire. …

Jeremy Denk seated at piano with open lid
Jeremy Denk, piano
Music
Nov 07, 2025

Hailed by the New York Times as “a pianist you want to hear no matter what he performs,” Jeremy Denk is the recipient of both the MacArthur “Genius” …

Dudok Quartet Amsterdam against an off-white background
Dudok Quartet Amsterdam
Music
Jan 09, 2026

Judith van Driel and Marleen Wester, violin; Marie-Louise de Jong, viola; David Faber, cello

Acclaimed for its “sublime, incandescent” playing (Chicago Classical Review), the Dudok Quartet Amsterdam is the …

Lorenzo Micheli holding a guitar against a gray background
Lorenzo Micheli, guitar
Music
Jan 10, 2026

Since winning the Guitar Foundation of America’s annual competition in 1999, Lorenzo Micheli has been a prolific player in the international classical guitar scene. Over his career, Micheli …

Violin bow against open sheet music
Bienen Faculty and Guests
Music
Jan 11, 2026

An evening of chamber music with Bienen faculty and special guests from Chicago’s classical music scene.

Members of the Vertavo String Quartet seated on a tan bench in front of a green tiled background
Vertavo String Quartet
Music
Jan 16, 2026

Øyvor Volle and Annabelle Meare, violin; Berit Cardas, viola; Bjørg Lewis, cello  

“The whole concert was treasurable, the musicianship impeccable, and over all shone the extraordinary beauty of the …

Trio Seoul members in black concert attire, standing onstage next to a piano
Trio Seoul
Music
Jan 18, 2026

Jinjoo Cho, violin; Brannon Cho, cello; Kyu Yeon Kim, piano

Trio Seoul was founded in 2021 by Bienen School associate professor of violin Jinjoo Cho, pianist Kyu Yeon Kim, …

Isidore String Quartet members standing with their instruments in front of a teal building
Isidore String Quartet
Music
Jan 23, 2026

Adrian Steele and Phoenix Avalon, violin; Devin Moore, viola; Joshua McClendon, cello 

The Boston Musical Intelligencer praises the Isidore String Quartet’s “invigorating and refreshing” playing and “bold virtuosity.” Winner of a …

Stephen Hough stands outside in a tan coat and scarf in front of trees
Stephen Hough, piano
Music
Feb 02, 2026

“In piano terms, he’s an Olympian…physical and mental prowess at its summit.” —The Spectator 

One of the most distinctive artists and polymaths of his generation, Sir Stephen Hough combines …

Dover Quartet performing seated on the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall stage
Dover Quartet
Music
Feb 14, 2026

Joel Link and Bryan Lee, violin; Julianne Lee, viola; Camden Shaw, cello 

Praised by Third Coast Review for their “astonishing and virtuosic” playing and “magnificent melding of talent,” the two-time Grammy-nominated …

Sérgio and Odair Assad seated with their guitars on a bench outdoors
Sérgio and Odair Assad, guitar
Music
Feb 21, 2026

“…supple, ­almost telepathic, guitar duo ­performances.”
—San ­Francisco Classical Voice 

Guitarists and brothers Sérgio and Odair Assad have brought their signature musical style to global audiences for sixty years. In …

Leif Ove Andsnes seated at an open grand piano against a dark gray background, wearing a deep blue shirt, with his hand resting against his head
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano
Music
Mar 09, 2026

2025 recipient of Northwestern University’s Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in Piano Performance

“…one of the most gifted musicians of his generation.”
—Wall Street Journal

Leif Ove Andsnes is an internationally celebrated pianist …

Garrick Ohlsson stands in front of a grand piano, wearing a tuxedo and clasping his hands at his chest
Garrick Ohlsson, piano
Music
Apr 10, 2026

“Impeccable clarity and architecture” —International Piano

Since triumphing as the first and only American winner of the 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition, Garrick Ohlsson has established himself worldwide as a …

Raphaella Smits holding a guitar against a blue background, with her back to the camera
Raphaella Smits, guitar
Music
Apr 11, 2026

“…one of the most delicate and most cultivated performers of our time.”
—Diapason 

A renowned guitarist and pedagogue, Raphaella Smits plays worldwide on eight-string guitars and historical instruments. Alongside her …

Marquis Hill wears a black and white sweater and stands playing trumpet against a blue background
Marquis Hill
Music
Apr 25, 2026

“His genre exchange has the ease of a walk across the street to a friend’s place.”
—Downbeat 

Trumpeter and composer Marquis Hill has made it his mission to break down …

Aristo Sham, piano
Music
Apr 26, 2026

“This young artist’s potential is boundless.” –Washington Post

Winner of the Gold Medal at the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Aristo Sham is a laureate of international competitions, …

Xuefei Yang, guitar
Music
May 09, 2026

“Sparkle, clarity, and flair”
—New York Sun 

Xuefei Yang is acclaimed as one of the world’s finest classical guitarists. Hailed as a musical pioneer, Yang was the first guitarist in …

50 Arts Circle Dr.
Evanston IL 60208
847-467-4000
The Bienen School of Music is located on the shore of Lake Michigan, on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus. Its concert venues feature performing ensembles, faculty recitals, festivals, professional guest artists, and master classes.