Bio

John Crowley, 22, is a recent graduate of the Eastman School of Music where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance. John is the winner of Eastman’s 2023 Viola Concerto Competition, and he subsequently made his solo debut with the Eastman Philharmonia performing the Walton Viola Concerto in November of 2023. In 2024, he was awarded Eastman’s selective Performer’s Certificate. He is currently studying at the Juilliard School in the studio of Carol Rodland.

As a chamber musician, John is the founding violist of the Maple Quartet, which has twice been awarded Eastman’s Celentano String Quartet Award. The quartet was the alternate winner of the 2025 Frances Walton Competition, and were finalists at the 2025 Coltman Chamber Music Competition and the 2025 Saint Paul String Quartet Competition, where they received an honorable mention for their performance. The quartet has performed as soloists with Voce Velata, and has collaborated with Chiao-Wen Cheng and Robin Scott.

John’s festival appearances include full tuition fellowships at the Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Encore Chamber Music Institute, and the National Orchestral Institute. John studied viola with Phillip Ying and chamber music with the Ying Quartet, the Verona Quartet, Mimi Hwang, Masumi Per Rostad, and David Bowlin. He is originally from the Capital District of New York, where he studied viola with Sue Nazzaro. He performs on a viola made by Guy Rabut in 2023, and a bow made by Sue Nazzaro in 2024. In his free time, John enjoys composing, hiking, cycling, skiing, playing chess, and eating good food.

Teaching Info

Depending on your level, we will most likely work through Suzuki books. If there are repertoire requests from the student, I am happy to work on other music. I focus on improving technique for comfort and musical enhancement. My primary goal is to help you feel more comfortable and confident while playing, and to make practicing the viola enjoyable!