Violinist · Educator · Mentor
A Life Shaped Through Music.
From an extraordinary childhood in Costa Rica to international concert stages, landmark recordings, university classrooms, and generations of young musicians, Dylana Jenson’s story is one of artistry, courage, discipline, and musical generosity.
The Story
A Remarkable Journey of Performance and Teaching.
Dylana Jenson’s career spans approximately five decades of international travel as a violin soloist, recording artist, university professor, artistic director, and mentor.
Her work has taken her from the world’s concert stages to university faculties, summer institutes, international masterclass, inner-city classrooms, and community music programs.
She later served as Visiting Associate Professor of the Practice in Violin and Viola at the University of Notre Dame and previously held a Distinguished Professor position at Grand Valley State University.
Careful attention to technical detail and inspiring musical freedom are both essential to helping a musician discover an authentic voice.
Dylana Jenson’s Teaching Philosophy
Career Milestones
A Journey Across Generations.
A selection of defining moments from Dylana’s development, international career, recordings, and teaching legacy.
1968–1973
Private Study with Manuel Compinsky
Early musical development under the celebrated violinist and teacher Manuel Compinsky.
1973
Honorary Citizen of Costa Rica
Granted honorary citizenship and a diplomatic passport in recognition of her musical achievements.
1973–1977
Private Study with Nathan Milstein
Continued intensive study with one of the twentieth century’s most admired violinists.
1975–1978
Private Study with Josef Gingold
Developed her artistic voice under the legendary teacher and violin pedagogue Josef Gingold.
1978
Tchaikovsky Competition Silver Medal
Became the first American woman and the youngest competitor at the time to receive the silver medal in Moscow.
1981
Grammy Award Nomination
Nominated for the RCA digital recording of the Sibelius Violin Concerto and Saint-Saëns Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
1990–1991
The Juilliard School
Attended on full scholarship and was mentored by Dorothy DeLay.
2000–2008
Distinguished Professor
Served as Distinguished Professor at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.
2014–2019
String Academy of Grand Rapids
Founded and directed a major community string program, supervising students, instructors, concerts, recruitment, fundraising, and program development.
2020–2022
University of Notre Dame
Served as Visiting Associate Professor of the Practice in Violin and Viola.
The Teacher
Technique in Service of Musical Freedom
Dylana’s teaching combines disciplined technical detail with expressive freedom. Her goal is not simply to produce correct playing, but to help each student develop confidence, individuality, and genuine musical communication.
Technical Clarity
Detailed guidance in posture, bow control, intonation, rhythm, tone, and efficient movement.
Musical Imagination
Helping students understand phrasing, structure, character, color, and emotional intention.
Performance Confidence
Preparing musicians to communicate with conviction in auditions, recitals, competitions, and orchestral settings.
Access and Outreach
Extending high-quality violin education to children, families, university students, and communities.
Honors and Recognition
Milestones of International Distinction.
Honorary Citizen of Costa Rica
Awarded honorary citizenship and a diplomatic passport in recognition of her exceptional early musical career.
Tchaikovsky Competition Silver Medal
Silver medalist in Moscow and recognized as the first American woman and youngest recipient at the time.
Grammy Award Nomination
Nominated for her RCA recording with the Philadelphia Orchestra and conductor Eugene Ormandy.
Selected Discography
Recordings and Orchestral Collaborations.
London Symphony Orchestra
Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 and Barber Violin Concerto. David Lockington, conductor.
Live at Carnegie Hall
Goldmark Violin Concerto with the Grand Rapids Symphony and David Lockington.
New Mexico Symphony
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with David Lockington, conductor.
RCA Brahms Sonatas
Brahms Sonatas for Violin and Piano with Samuel Sanders.
Philadelphia Orchestra · RCA
Sibelius Violin Concerto and Saint-Saëns Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso with Eugene Ormandy.
Moscow State Philharmonic
Tchaikovsky and Sibelius Violin Concertos with Pavel Kogan.
Saturday’s spellbinding performance raised the obvious question: why does an artist of such power appear so rarely? She explored the opening movement’s dark mysteries before confronting the work’s most demanding passages with extraordinary intensity.
Pasadena Star-News · 2015
Complete Career Archive
Explore the Full Musical Journey.
Open each section to review additional appointments, performances, masterclasses, recordings, and professional experience.
Education and Principal Teachers
- 1990–1991 — Juilliard School, full scholarship, mentored by Dorothy DeLay
- 1976 — Masterclass with Isaac Stern
- 1975–1978 — Private study with Josef Gingold
- 1973–1977 — Private study with Nathan Milstein
- 1968–1973 — Private study with Manuel Compinsky
Faculty and Educational Appointments
- 2020–2022 — Visiting Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame
- 2014–2019 — Artistic Director, String Academy of Grand Rapids
- 2014–2015 — Artist in Residence, Grand Rapids Community College
- 2012–2013 — Visiting Artist, Andrews University
- 2000–2008 — Distinguished Professor, Grand Valley State University
- 2005–2006 — Interlochen Arts Summer Camp
- 1994 and 2005 — Heifetz International Summer Institute
- 1980–1982 — Hebrew Arts School, New York
Masterclasses and Workshops
- University of Notre Dame online masterclasses
- E.T. Violin Studio, Costa Rica
- Interlochen Arts Academy Violin Institute
- Baltimore School for the Arts
- Peabody Institute
- Pasadena Conservatory
- El Sistema Academia Nacional de Violin, Venezuela
- Conservatory of Music, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Sam Houston State University
- Carson-Newman College
- Calvin College String Summit
- The Hill School
- Indian Hill Music
- Suzuki Retreat, Chico
- St. Cecilia Music School
- Interlochen Arts Academy and Summer Camp
- Grand Valley State University
- Music Institute of Long Island
- Arizona State University
- University of Wisconsin
- Kent State University
- University of Costa Rica
- Centro Nacional de la Música, Costa Rica
Administrative and Community Leadership
Founder and Artistic Director
String Academy of Grand Rapids, 2014–2019. Supervised 72 violin and cello students, five teachers, a budget exceeding $60,000, program development, concerts, recruitment, fundraising, merchandise, website management, and public relations.
Coordinator and Instructor
Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology, 2014–2017. Directed the program and taught first- and second-grade students at an inner-city charter school.
Selected Orchestral Engagements
- Albany Symphony
- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
- Berlin Radio Symphony
- Buffalo Symphony
- Chicago Sinfonietta
- Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
- Cleveland Orchestra
- Dallas Symphony Orchestra
- Detroit Symphony Orchestra
- English Chamber Orchestra
- Frankfurt Opera Orchestra
- Grand Rapids Symphony
- Houston Symphony Orchestra
- Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
- Israel Chamber Orchestra
- Kansas City Symphony
- Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
- Lodz Philharmonic
- Los Angeles Philharmonic
- Louisville Orchestra
- Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
- Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Moscow State Philharmonic
- Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra
- New Mexico Symphony Orchestra
- New York Philharmonic
- North Carolina Symphony Orchestra
- Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica
- Orquesta Sinfónica del Principado de Asturias
- Pasadena Symphony
- Philadelphia Orchestra
- Queensland Symphony Orchestra
- Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
- San Francisco Symphony
- Seattle Symphony
- Sydney Symphony Orchestra
- The Boston Pops Orchestra
- Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
- Yale Symphony Orchestra
Selected Recitals
- Interlochen Arts School Violin Institute
- Calvin College Great Artists Series
- Cleveland Chamber Music Society
- Gilmore Festival
- Indiana University
- Grand Valley State University
- Vancouver Chamber Music Society
- 92nd Street Y, New York
- Carnegie Hall, New York
- Sydney Opera House
- Recital tours of Australia, Japan, France, Germany, and the Soviet Union
- Gstaad, Switzerland, substituting for Nathan Milstein
Videos, Interviews and Media
- The Classical Music Podcast interview
- Violinist.com interview
- Suzuki Association Conference presentation: Twinkle Your Way to Tchaikovsky
- TEDx Pura Vida Costa Rica
- Lalo Symphonie espagnole in Spain
- Live, Lalo Symphony Espagnole
- Tchaikovsky Concerto with CityMusic Cleveland
- Beethoven Violin Concerto in Costa Rica
- Sibelius Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra
- Saint-Saëns Concerto in Costa Rica
- 11 years old on the Johnny Carson show.
- Tchaikovsky Concerto and Paganini La Campanella
- Beethoven Kreutzer Sonata on German television
- Numerous historical interviews, performances, and documentaries
Languages
- English — Native
- Spanish — Proficient for international teaching, recruitment, and masterclasses
Videos, Master Classes, and Press Links
Bach Double Violin Concerto
Recently, Dylana Jenson was the Visiting Associate Professor of the Practice in Violin and Viola at the University of Notre Dame. Jenson’s background includes 50 years of international travel as a violin soloist, and teaching at the university level as a Distinguished Professor. Jenson established the String Academy of Grand…
Virtual Live Online Masterclass from the University of Notre Dame
2021 Virtual Live Online Masterclass from the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame Live International Online Masterclass
2020 University of Notre Dame Live International Online Masterclass
Live Online Masterclass
2020 University of Notre Dame Live Online Masterclass
Online Live Masterclass
2020 E.T. Violin Studio, Costa Rica, Online Live Masterclass
Masterclass
2013 Short clip from Masterclass at Pasadena Conservatory
The Classical Music Podcast interview
2021 The Classical Music Podcast interview
Violinist.com interview
2020 Violinist.com interview
‘Twinkle your way to Tchaikovsky’
‘Twinkle your way to Tchaikovsky’
‘¿en el pasado...era usted, Dylana Jenson?’
‘¿en el pasado...era usted, Dylana Jenson?’
Lalo Symphonie espagnole
2012 Lalo Symphonie espagnole , Orquesta Sinfónica del Principado Asturias, Spain,
Tchaikovsky Concerto Live
2011 Tchaikovsky Concerto Live , CityMusic Cleveland, Joel Smirnoff, conductor
Lalo Symphonie espagnole,
2005 Lalo Symphonie espagnole, Allegro non troppo
Beethoven Violin Concerto
1983 Beethoven Violin Concerto , Sinfonica National de Costa Rica,
Sibelius Concerto Live
1981 Sibelius Concerto Live with Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene
Saint Saens Concerto
1980 Saint Saens Concerto Live Sinfonica National de Costa Rica
Tchaikovsky Competition
1978 Tchaikovsky Competition, Paganini La Campanella
Lalo Symphonie espagnole,
1976 Lalo Symphonie espagnole, Sinfonica National de Costa Rica
Beethoven ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata
1975 Beethoven ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata , Live German Television, Alain
Tchaikovsky Concerto Live
1972 Tchaikovsky Concerto Live , Sinfonica National de Costa Rica,
1969, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980
1969, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980 Various interviews, performances and documentaries
Pasadena Star-News:
2015 Pasadena Star-News: “As David Lockington noted before the Pasadena Symphony’s Feb. 14 concert, the concerto’s (Shostakovich Concerto Op. 99) dark, brooding first movement and the sardonic sections that follow make for a strange Valentine’s Day card. But that’s what Lockington, the orchestra’s music director, and his…
Violinist Dylana Jenson
2015 Pasadena Star-News: “As David Lockington noted before the Pasadena Symphony’s Feb. 14 concert, the concerto’s (Shostakovich Concerto Op. 99) dark, brooding first movement and the sardonic sections that follow make for a strange Valentine’s Day card. But that’s what Lockington, the orchestra’s music director, and his…
String Academy announcement
2014 String Academy announcement
Academia Nacional de Violin, Venezuela
2013 Academia Nacional de Violin, Venezuela
Strad Magazine
2013 Strad Magazine
Tchaikovsky Concerto
2011 Review Tchaikovsky Concerto , Cleveland Plain Dealer
Violinist.com
2010 Violinist.com Interview
InstantEncore
2010 InstantEncore
Review New York Times
1982 Review New York Times
Review New York Times
1981 Review New York Times of Sibelius RCA recording
‘a mature master’
1980 ‘a mature master’ New York Times review of Sibelius Concerto
A Life in Music
Photo Gallery
A visual journey through Dylana’s early years, performances, collaborations, portraits, and memorable moments in music.