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.

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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

Andrew Wickesberg

Andrew Wickesberg

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

All String Events
Christmas at Duquesne graphic with a candle in front of a snowy window.

Christmas at Duquesne

Join us for our annual Christmas concert.Musicians: Voices of Spirit and Pappert Chorale Wind...

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  • Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom, Power Center
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Christmas at Duquesne graphic with a candle in front of a snowy window.

Christmas at Duquesne

Join us for our annual Christmas concert.Musicians: Voices of Spirit and Pappert Chorale Wind...

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  • Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom, Power Center
More About This Event
Graphic featuring a silhouette of a piano and pianist in front of a building.

The Dean's List - Concert IV: Prokofieff Plus

Pre-concert Discussion with Barbara Nissman at 7:00 p.m. Internationally renowned pianist...

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  • Mary Pappert School of Music
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A cellist smiles while performing.

Duquesne Symphony Orchestra

Daniel Meyer, Director of Orchestral ActivitiesAdmission$10 Suggested Donation (at the...

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  • Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom, Power Center
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Two instruments lie on a black background.

The Dukes Music

Dr. Paul Miller, directorAdmission$10 Suggested Donation (at the door)

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  • Mary Pappert School of Music
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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.