Sharon Tenhundfeld

classical violist

Sharon Tenhundfeld, D.M.A, performs as violist with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and teaches Viola and Music Business at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Dr. Tenhundfeld has previously held the titled position Principal Viola with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and Civic Orchestra of Chicago and has appeared as guest with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and New World Symphony. As chamber musician, Dr. Tenhundfeld has collaborated with many artists and ensembles such as Yo-Yo Ma, James Buswell, Parker String Quartet, Borromeo String Quartet, rock band Jethro Tull, and was the former violist of the Elan String Quartet. She has also been a member of Boston's premier new music ensemble, Callithumpian Consort, and can be heard on several of their recordings on Mode Records.

Dr. Tenhundfeld regularly collaborates with artists in dance, theatre, and visual art and her collaborations have led her to research the influence dance, theatre, and visual art have on the creativity of musicians. She recently published her practice method for musicians called Creative Musician: An Artistic Method to Aid the Expressivity of Musicians and has presented her research at the American Viola Society and as a TEDx 2018 speaker with a talk titled Being a Creativity Detective.

Dr. Tenhundfeld was schooled in the Karen Tuttle technique of viola playing and guides her students to play with comfort, coordination, and balance. Prior to teaching at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Dr. Tenhundfeld was viola faculty at New Music School in Chicago and served as teaching assistant to Carol Rodland at New England Conservatory in Boston. As a music business professional, Dr. Tenhundfeld served as Executive Director of the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra and was previously the Creative Director for the New Music School in Chicago, Artistic Coordinator for the Heifetz International Institute of Music and Artistic Director for Artist Collective and ArtUne Ensemble. Dr. Tenhundfeld’s passion for business is rooted in entrepreneurialism, collaboration, and education.

Dr. Tenhundfeld earned bachelor and master of music degrees in viola performance from New England Conservatory as a student of Carol Rodland and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree with Sally Chisholm from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a Paul Collins Wisconsin Distinguished Fellow. In addition, she holds a Business Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Business and a Music in Education concentration from New England Conservatory. Dr. Tenhundfeld performs on a 1750’s Austrian viola previously owned by renowned violists Carol Rodland and Lillian Fuchs.