The Strad News – New viola professor appointments at the Shepherd School of Music

The Strad News – New viola professor appointments at the Shepherd School of Music

February 18, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Entertainment

A significant transition is underway at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas, as the institution prepares for the retirement of two longstanding viola professors and welcomes new leadership to the programme. The appointments signal a continuation of the school’s commitment to musical excellence and pedagogical innovation.

New Leadership for a Renowned programme

Ori Kam and Stephen Wyrczynski have been appointed as viola professors, set to join the faculty in autumn 2027. This appointment comes as Ivo-Jan van der Werff and James Dunham prepare to retire in spring 2026 and spring 2027, respectively. The transition will be carefully managed to ensure continuity for students.

A Phased Transition

To facilitate a smooth handover, Joan DerHovsepian, currently the principal viola of the Houston Symphony and an instructor of orchestral repertoire, will lead a viola studio as a professor in the practice during the 2026-27 academic year. Wyrczynski and Kam will also visit the school in the upcoming academic year to begin working with current and future students.

Did You Know? Stephen Wyrczynski has been a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra for 18 years.

Both incoming professors bring extensive experience and impressive credentials to the Shepherd School. Wyrczynski has served on the viola faculty at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music since 2010 and has collaborated with renowned artists such as Joshua Bell and Sarah Chang.

Ori Kam currently holds a professorship at the Kunst-Universität Graz in Austria and previously taught at the University of Geneva for 13 years. He is a veteran of major orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, and was a member of the Jerusalem String Quartet for 15 years.

Expert Insight: The appointment of two new professors, following the retirements of established figures, represents a strategic opportunity for the Shepherd School of Music to refresh its approach to viola instruction while maintaining its high standards. The phased transition, with the involvement of Joan DerHovsepian and early visits from the new professors, suggests a deliberate effort to minimize disruption for students.

Wyrczynski expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Shepherd School, highlighting the school’s tradition of excellence, and collaboration. Kam echoed this sentiment, noting the alignment between the school’s artistic vision and his own pedagogical values.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Ori Kam and Stephen Wyrczynski officially begin their roles?

Ori Kam and Stephen Wyrczynski will both join the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in autumn 2027.

Who will lead the viola studio during the transition period?

Joan DerHovsepian, principal viola of the Houston Symphony, will lead a studio as professor in the practice for viola in 2026-27.

From which institutions are the incoming professors coming?

Stephen Wyrczynski is currently on the faculty of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and Ori Kam is a professor at the Kunst-Universität Graz in Austria.

How might the arrival of these two new professors shape the future direction of viola studies at the Shepherd School of Music remains to be seen, but their combined experience and artistic backgrounds suggest a promising future for the programme.