Kraut assumes the role of professional lecturer of cello in autumn 2025, having previously served as co-chair of the Cleveland Institute of Music cello programme for 19 years
The DePaul University School of Music has announced the appointment of Melissa Kraut as its new professional lecturer of cello. Kraut will succeed professor Stephen Balderston following his retirement in June 2025 and will accept students into the cello studio from autumn 2025.
She was previously the co-chair of the Cleveland Institute of Music cello programme for 19 years.
On her appointment, Kraut said: ’Learning flourishes in an environment of dignity, professionalism, compassion, and safety. From the moment I set foot on the campus of DePaul, I felt a resonant harmony with the community and immediately recognised this as a special place where students thrive.
’Joining Dean [John] Milbauer and the exceptional faculty and staff of the DePaul University School of Music is a deep honour. I look forward to building new relationships within the DePaul community. Returning to Chicago brings me home to the city where I first developed my musical voice, and I’m excited to give back to the place where it all began.’
Dean John Milbauer said he was thrilled to welcome Kraut to the faculty: ’Melissa’s extraordinary abilities in shaping the lives of young artists will enrich our faculty and support a primary strategic objective of expanding the excellence of our ensembles.
’She is the perfect person to build on the studio environment created by Steve Balderston, both nurturing and professional. Not only does she understand music and teaching; she understands people, and that is invaluable to all of us at DePaul.’
Kraut holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Iowa and Northwestern University, studying with pedagogues including Alan Harris and Hans Jørgen Jensen, as well as participating in masterclasses with Aldo Parisot, Frank Miller, Yo-Yo Ma, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and David Soyer. As a student, she participated in the Aspen Music Festival, Banff Center for the Arts, and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in Europe.
Kraut has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the US, Europe, China, and Cuba. She has appeared most recently at festivals such as El Paso Pro Musica, Northwest Bach Festival, Sitka Music Festival, Eureka Chamber Music, and as a performer at many summer festivals.
Her students have achieved success in numerous international, national and regional competitions, including the Gold Medal and Audience Award at the Gaspar Cassado Competition in Hachioji, Japan, Gold Medal at the Carlos Prieto Competition, semi-finalists at the Sphinx Competition, Grand Prize in the Music Teachers National Association Competition, First Prize in the American String Teacher’s Association, Grand Prize in the Walgreen’s Competition, Grand Prize in the Fischoff Competition, as well as awards at the Banff Chamber Music Competition, Melbourne Chamber Music Competition, Hudson Valley Competition, Klein Competition and more.
Her students have won positions in orchestras including Indianapolis Symphony, South Carolina Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, US Army Strings, and the Knoxville Symphony, as well as orchestras in Europe and China. Other former students hold positions in quartets, artistic leadership positions, and as teachers at all levels.
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