About Eva

Eva Stern is a violist, Pilates teacher and movement enthusiast. Diverse in experience as both a performer and teacher, Eva has given recitals and taught master classes across the United States and Eastern Europe. She has served on the faculties of Eastern Michigan University, Bowling Green State University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Longwood College. She has been a member of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra since 2000. She is also a member of the Muse Ensemble with violinist Kyoko Kashiwagi and cellist Katri Ervamaa. Previously she has been a member of the St. Louis Symphony, Richmond Symphony and Louisville Orchestra, and plays as a substitute musician with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Oregon Symphony. Also in demand as a chamber musician, she has appeared with numerous ensembles including the Chautauqua String Quartet, Michigan Chamber Players, Chamber Music Ann Arbor, Chamber Music at the Scarab Club and the American Romanian Festival. Stern is featured on a recording of works for viola, clarinet and piano released by Fleur de Son Classics. She has been praised for having “a rich, juicy tone and an agile technique” (Ann Arbor Observer, Allmusic.com). She holds a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she was a student and teaching assistant of George Taylor. Her undergraduate studies were at Purchase College- State University of New York, where her principal teachers were Walter Trampler and Daniel Philips.

Eva’s initial interest in movement techniques began when she was in college. Repetitive strain injuries from playing the viola prompted her then viola teacher Daniel Phillips to suggest she take lessons in the Alexander Technique. Thus began her many years studying a variety of movement techniques, including the Feldenkrais method, Iyengar Yoga, various personal training and Pilates. Eva has had the good fortune to have many wonderful Pilates mentors across the country, including Suzanne Ford in St. Louis, Hee Ra Yoo in Chautauqua, NY, Melissa Francis in Ann Arbor, Amy Beversdorf in Stevens Point, WI, David Gensheimer in Nashville, Kathleen Pastorello in Colorado Springs and Viktor and Kelly Uygan in Mission Viejo, CA. She completed her Comprehensive Instructor training with Balanced Body in 2017. She continues to gain knowledge through ongoing lessons, classes and reading.

Eva’s home base and Pilates studio are in Norfolk, Virginia.

LEARN MORE

Into the Music with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra featuring Associate Concertmaster Vahn Armstrong and Violist Eva Stern, July 2020

Learn More About Pilates for Musicians in My Article for the March 2019 International Musician:
internationalmusician.org/pilates-for-musicians-great-exercise-for-seated-athletes/

Learn More About Breathing for Upper Body Relaxation in My Article for the February 2020 International Musician:
​https://internationalmusician.org/pilates-breathing-exercises-for-upper-body-relaxation/

Today's Tutorial

Photos by Jennifer Ilene Photography