Austin Berman

Violinist and Philadelphia native Austin Haley Berman began exploring diverse music at the age of five, free-styling to Buckwheat Zydeco, mime-conducting 1940s Looney Tunes soundtracks, and juggling bright orange Sil-X balls to the Electric Light Orchestra. Twenty years later, Austin’s musical curiosity hasn't abated. His Spotify playlist spans film scores, pop, rock, country, and R&B, but he is particularly fond of classical, bluegrass, and jazz.

Austin’s classical studies have spanned New York City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia with primary teachers including Li Lin (The Juilliard School), Robert Lipsett (The Colburn School), Francesca dePasquale (Oberlin Conservatory), William dePasquale and Choong-Jin Chang (The Philadelphia Orchestra) and concertmaster training from Glenn Dicterow (NYPhil) and Sheryl Staples (NYPhil).

Recognized for his musical and academic achievements internationally, Austin graduated with honors from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs as the only University Scholar student in a decade. He studied international relations, Chinese politics, and Mandarin while juggling travel to Juilliard for weekly violin lessons, to Miami for performances with the New World Symphony, and abroad for international competitions.

Austin was the winner of the Bronze Medal in the 2016 Stulberg International String Competition, a semifinalist in the 2016 Irving M. Klein International Competition, 2018 Singapore International Violin Competition, and 2018 Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition.

Austin has served as concertmaster of several orchestras including the Juilliard Orchestra (2019-2021), Music Academy of the West Festival Orchestra (2016) and the Aspen Music Festival guest Chamber Orchestra. Austin has held principal positions in the American Youth Symphony and the Colburn Orchestra. For five years, he served as a first-tier sub for the New World Symphony, most recently performing Mahler's Ninth Symphony under the baton of Maestro Michael Tilson Thomas.

In June, Austin graduated with a master's degree (M.M.) in violin performance from The Juilliard School. Austin is a 2021 Chicago Booth Scholar. Outside of teaching and performance, Austin's hobbies include poker, ping-pong, and taking care of his miniature dachshund, Cooper.