New viola professor appointments at the Shepherd School of Music

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The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas, has announced the appointment of violists Ori Kam and Stephen Wyrczynski as viola professors. They will both join the school in autumn 2027. They will replace longtime professors Ivo-Jan van der Werff and James Dunham who will retire in spring 2026 and spring 2027, respectively.

During the transition phase, Joan DerHovsepian, principal viola of the Houston Symphony, will lead a studio as professor in the practice for viola in 2026-27, while continuing her current role as instructor of orchestral repertoire. Wyrczynski and Kam will also visit the school throughout the next school year to work with current and incoming viola students.

Wyrczynski said of the appointment: ’I’m honored and excited to join the celebrated faculty at the Shepherd School. I’m looking forward to working with my friend Ori Kam to continue Shepherd’s tradition of excellence and collaboration established by James Dunham and Ivo-Jan van der Werff.’

Kam said: ’I am thrilled to join the faculty of the Shepherd School of Music. I have long admired Shepherd’s artistic vision and approach to pedagogy, which align closely with my own values. Joining the faculty feels like a natural next step. While I regret James Dunham and Ivo-Jan van der Werff’s departures, I am excited to join Stephen Wyrczynski in continuing their legacy of shaping the next generation of violists at the Shepherd School.’

Stephen Wyrczynski has served on the viola faculty of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music since 2010. He has been a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra for 18 years. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with artists including Joshua Bell, Sarah Chang, Pamela Frank, and Edgar Meyer. He has taught at the New World Symphony orchestral academy, Curtis Institute of Music, Mannes College of Music, and Aspen Music Festival and School.

Ori Kam currently holds a professorship at the Kunst-Universität Graz in Austria and previously served on the faculty of the University of Geneva for 13 years. He was a member of the Jerusalem String Quartet for 15 years and founder of the Israel Chamber Music Society. He has played as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, Berlin Symphony, and others. Kam was a member of the Berlin Philharmonic and the Deutsche-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and has also appeared as a guest with numerous orchestras including the Vienna Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Ensemble Modern.