The string program at Duquesne emphasizes your complete artistic and professional development as a musician, addressing not only technical skills, but nurturing your creativity as well. Make your mark in our orchestras and chamber groups as you learn from a world-class faculty, many of which are members of the GRAMMY Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Video features professors Charles Stegeman and Rachel Stegeman accompanied by David Allen Wehr (dean and professor of piano).
Our success stories include students winning positions in the Los Angeles, Houston, Indianapolis, Portland, Detroit, Naples, Syracuse, and Pittsburgh Symphonies. Our string alumni also include educators throughout the country in K-12 public and private schools, professors at major universities, as well as recording artists and technicians in award-winning studios in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles.

Learn More

Graduate Students

We are proud to offer highly competitive Graduate Performance Awards and Assistantships that can cover up to 100% of tuition.

Questions About Studying Strings?

Contact the String Area Coordinator.

Aaron White

Adjunct Professor of Double Bass, String Area Coordinator

Violin Faculty

Charles Stegeman

Charles Stegeman

Professor of Violin

Rachel Stegeman

Rachel Stegeman

Adjunct Professor of Violin

Viola Faculty

Jennifer Gerhard

Jennifer Gerhard

Adjunct Professor of Viola

Marylène Gingras-Roy

Marylène Gingras-Roy

Adjunct Professor of Viola

Cello Faculty

Adam Liu

Adam Liu

Adjunct Professor of Cello

Bass Faculty

Jeffrey Mangone

Jeffrey Mangone

Adjunct Professor of Double Bass/Bass Guitar

Paul Thompson

Paul Thompson

Adjunct Professor of Jazz Bass

Aaron White

Aaron White

Adjunct Professor of Double Bass, String Area Coordinator

Harp Faculty

Gretchen Van Hoesen

Gretchen Van Hoesen

Adjunct Professor of Harp

Upcoming String Events

Blue graphic with white calendar and music note icons.

Student Recital: Carolina Roy, cello & Mitchell Fleischman, double bass

From the studios of Adam Liu and Jeff Mangone.

  • -
  • Mary Pappert School of Music
More About This Event
A girl playing cello smiles.

Duquesne Symphony Orchestra & Choirs

Daniel MeyerDirector of Orchestral ActivitiesDr. Caron DaleyDirector of Choral ActivitiesAdmission$10...

  • -
  • Carnegie Music Hall
More About This Event
Blue graphic with white calendar and music note icons.

Student Recital: Marc Tessier, double bass

From the studio of Aaron White.

  • -
  • Mary Pappert School of Music
More About This Event
Blue graphic with white calendar and music note icons.

Student Recital: Danielle Polizzi, violin & Alexa Krznaric, clarinet

From the studios Rachel Stegeman and Jack Howell.

  • -
  • Mary Pappert School of Music
More About This Event
Blue graphic with white calendar and music note icons.

Student Recital: Camila Zanetti, violin

From the studio of Charles Stegeman.

  • -
  • Mary Pappert School of Music
More About This Event

String Facilities

These teaching studios are designed to be specific to larger, less portable instruments, such as bass and harp.

 

Hear from our Alumni

Jairo shares his experiences as a cellist at Duquesne and the connections he made while studying with Adam Liu, Assistant Principal Cellist for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

"I grew significantly as a bassist studying with Aaron White at Duquesne University. With his instruction, I feel more secure as a player and prepared for the highly competitive field I’ve entered. Prior to coming to Duquesne, I struggled to advance in major auditions. However, after 2 years as an Artist Diploma student at the Mary Pappert School of Music, I have had regular success advancing in major orchestral auditions.

Professor White's attention to detail and commitment to his students is unparalleled. Additionally, it is an inspiration to hear Aaron White perform with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, as a soloist, and in various chamber ensembles. Not only is Aaron a phenomenal teacher and performer, but he is also a generous and caring person. He looks after each of his students attentively and fosters both professional and personal growth for each individual. If I was given the opportunity to pick where to study again, I would not hesitate to make the same choice."

-Thomas White
A.D. Performance, 2019

“I graduated from the Mary Pappert School of Music in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. My time at Duquesne really prepared me for a career in music-- as teacher, performer, conductor, arranger, and scholar. I am thankful for the faculty that inspired and challenged me to deepen my understanding of music. Not only was I able to take courses in music education methods and philosophy, music tech, music history and theory, and world music, but I was also able to study with Adam Liu, the assistant principal cellist of the Pittsburgh Symphony, who inspired me to continue to graduate school and earn my master's and doctorate in cello performance. I am grateful for all the opportunities while studying at Duquesne, and grateful for the Mary Pappert School of Music community. I would recommend any student to audition and apply to Duquesne University."

- Sarah Gongaware, D.M.A. 
Current positions: Director of Orchestras at The Francis Parker School in San Diego, CA, section cellist with the La Jolla Symphony, cellist with Zene Strings quartet.