Stephanie Block
Principal | Maurice L. Hirsch Chair
Biography
Stephanie grew up in Barrington, Illinois, outside of Chicago. She started violin when she was four and switched to viola at age 13. She began in her local Suzuki school and later moved to the Academy at the Music Institute of Chicago. During her time in Chicago, Stephanie won several competitions and was a soloist with some Chicago-area symphonies, including her youth orchestra. When she went to Juilliard for college, Stephanie had the opportunity to premiere a concerto by a Costa Rican composer with the New Juilliard Ensemble. She also had the opportunity to travel to Finland and Sweden as part of the Juilliard/Sibelius Academy orchestra, under Esa-Pekka Salonen. Perhaps the most surprising opportunity she had in New York was performing in a jazz group at Jazz at Lincoln Center and performing with Wynton Marsalis.
Stephanie says, "Winning my job in Sarasota Orchestra has been a massive highlight of my career, as has having been a trialist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities and surprises that have led me on an exciting path."
Get to know Stephanie Block
First year with Sarasota Orchestra: 2023
Instrument: Stephanie's instrument is three hundred years old, but it is currently a no-namer! "There is some speculation about where it might be from," Stephanie tells us. "Maybe Italy? Maybe England? I named my viola Puccini, in honor of the first opera I ever saw the day I got it in New York, Madama Butterfly. I fell in love with it because of its direct, distinctive sound that can be hard to find in a viola. It is great for both blending into an orchestra and standing out as a soloist or a chamber musician. It has always felt like my voice."
Education: Stephanie studied at The Juilliard School for both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. Her teachers were Heidi Castleman, Hsin-Yun Huang, Misha Amory, and Cynthia Phelps. "They are all incredible people and musicians who taught me to not only be a great violist, but to be a good person who contributes to the world," Stephanie says.
Career Highlights: Stephanie shares, "One of my favorite experiences was getting to sit as guest assistant principal with the London Symphony Orchestra during a concert for their exchange with Music Academy of the West. After I won their competition, I got to go to London for 10 days and experience the life of an LSO musician. I played in chamber groups with members and played several subscription concerts. My favorite concert ever was performing Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony with Sir Simon Rattle. Every note was intentional and beautiful, and I loved the energy throughout the orchestra. That piece is very special to me because of that experience."
Passions and Interests:
Stephanie's outside hobbies are running and triathlons. "When I was eight," Stephanie says, "my dad signed me up for my first triathlon, and I have stuck with it ever since. I think I’ve competed in about 30 triathlons by age 32. I love the way that the sport pushes you to be a great athlete mentally and physically. I also love the community it has brought me. Several friends from the Orchestra have come to watch me compete, and a few past and current members of Sarasota Orchestra competed alongside me in St. Anthony’s Triathlon in St. Pete! I’ve been fortunate to be a medal winner in some races and have competed four times in the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships. My dad is a triathlon coach, and my mom has done triathlons for decades, so I have had good influences around me!
Stephanie adds, "I am also a pediatric cancer survivor and am passionate about helping to build a physician network and support for research for rare cancers that have no federal backing. I have been an ambassador for the Histiocytosis Association and look forward to continuing this work and weaving it into my career."
