Jennifer Gerhard

Jennifer Gerhard is Principal Violist for the orchestras of the Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Ballet, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, as well as Principal Viola of the Wheeling Symphony and Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh. She also substitutes with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.  

A member of TJL Productions “My Music Orchestra”, Ms. Gerhard can be seen on PBS with a variety of Doo Wop artists, Davey Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck and more.

An active chamber music performer, Ms. Gerhard is the violist and music coordinator of the Wheeling Symphony String Quintet, an ensemble that performs “WSO On the Go” educational programs and recitals throughout the region.  

In addition to maintaining an active private teaching studio, she is a recent addition to the string faculty of Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University.

From 1982-87 Jennifer held the position of Principal Viola with the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra.  Prior to that, she performed with the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra and on Broadway.

Ms. Gerhard’s primary viola teachers were Paul Doktor, Sol Greitzer, Leonard Davis and Heidi Castleman.  Originally from Long Island, New York, she received the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts with Highest Honors from SUNY College at Purchase Conservatory of Music in 1981.

Ms. Gerhard performs on a viola made in 1977 by James Radford Coggin.

Jennifer is proudly married to double bassist Jeff Mangone.  The couple resides in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, in the company of their cats, Hershey and Holly.

• B.F.A., SUNY College at Purchase Conservatory