Esther Witherell

Violinist

Esther Witherell is a violinist and music educator who seeks to bring the joy of music to every student she teaches. She has earned a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Ithaca College and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she frequently served as principal and concertmaster for the ASU Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. She has also played concertmaster for the Chandler Opera Company, the Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra, and her own ensemble, SOL Chamber Orchestra.

While working toward her doctorate at ASU, Esther conducted independent research on Beethoven’s copyist manuscripts, which culminated in a trip to archives in Vienna, Austria. As part of her doctoral project, she commissioned and performed a new piece of sacred music, the Luminous Mysteries Rosary Sonata, funded in part by a grant from the ASU graduate college and in part by her own concert series playing all of Heinrich Biber’s Rosary Sonatas. In 2023, she founded SOL Chamber Orchestra, a self-led ensemble of string players in Phoenix which provides young music professionals an outlet for creative artistry.

Esther maintains a private studio in Tempe, AZ - Excellence Empowers, LLC, and aims to foster confidence and leadership in her students through the pursuit of musical excellence. She enjoys reading, gardening, and a good cup of coffee with friends.