Susanna Klein, violin
Susanna Klein is assistant professor of violin and coordinator of strings at her alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University. Originally from Stuttgart, Germany, she has enjoyed a varied career as a violinist, educator and innovator. She has performed in orchestra and chamber music settings in Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy and Israel,as well as throughout the United States. Currently she serves as violinist with both Trio 826, based in Iowa, and the trailblazer group Atlantic Chamber Ensemble (ACE) in Richmond.
As an orchestral musician, Ms. Klein served as principal second violin of the Richmond Symphony for five years. Other full-time orchestral appointments have been with the Colorado Symphony, Memphis Symphony, Vermont Symphony (as acting concertmaster) and Rhode Island Philharmonic. She has performed at the Wintergreen Performing Arts Festival, Lake George Music Festival NY, Cedar Valley Chamber Music Festival IA, Loon Lake Live! NY, and at the Musique au Fivales in France. Ms. Klein can be heard on the compact discs of One Ring Zero, Modern Groove Syndicate as well as on the Klavier and the Griffin Classical Chamber music labels.
A passionate educator, Susanna Klein has served on the violin faculty at the Governor’s School of Virginia Summer program, the Richmond Symphony Camp, and the Boston Youth Symphony Retreat. In 2010 she founded The Orchestra Project, a VCU/Richmond Symphony camp for talented string players. Every year, she co-directs and serves on the faculty at the Orchestra Project, held on the campus of VCU.
Ms. Klein researches technology and musician's practice habits and is currently developing a practice app for musicians. In 2017 her work was funded through a VCU Presidential Grant, the University's most prestigious award research The App is currently under construction. She recently started a new venture, the YouTube Channel Practice Blitz, dedicated to showing violinists quick and efficient practice routines. Ms. Klein regularly presents workshops on injury prevention and efficient, tech-informed practice at Colleges and conferences. Her work has been featured in Instrumentalist Magazine, Chamber Music America Magazine, and on National Geographic Instagram. Read more about all of her activities atsusannaklein.com.
Ms. Klein holds a Bachelor of Music degree from VCU and Master of Music degree from Boston University, where she was an assistant to the legendary violinist Roman Totenberg. Ms. Klein lives in Richmond with her two boys and her husband, jazz musician John Winn.
