Lila Brown, viola, is a cofounder and artistic director of Music from Salem, founded in 1986, and cofounder of the MfS Viola Seminar in 2011. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Brown was a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1982 to 1984. Learn more about Brown.
Markus Placci, violin, joined the Conservatory in 2007 and is a professor of violin. Praised for having “a magnificent personality, a superb energy, a total command, and an extremely convincing taste” (La Libre Belgique), Placci enjoys an international reputation that has earned him solo appearances throughout Europe, South America, Asia, and the U. S. Learn more about Placci.
Judith Eissenberg, violin, joined the Conservatory in 2001 and is a professor of music teaching chamber music. She is a founder and second violin (1980–2022) of the Grammy-nominated Lydian String Quartet, recognized for its depth of interpretation, performing with "a precision and involvement marking them as among the world's best quartets." (Chicago Sun-Times). Learn more about Eissenberg.
Paul Laraia, viola, joined the Conservatory in 2023 as an associate professor of viola. Acclaimed by The Strad for his "eloquent” and "vibrant" playing, he is an active soloist and chamber musician. He won first prize in the 13th Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition and the 14th National Sphinx Competition, as well as a Gold Medal with High Distinction at the fifth Manhattan International Music Competition. Learn more about Laraia.
Andrew Mark, cello, is a professor of cello and chamber music at the Conservatory. From 1988 to 1991, Mark served as a U.S. Artistic Ambassador, giving recitals and master classes throughout Europe, Asia, Central America, and South America. He has been a cellist for the Boston Composers String Quartet (1987–1994) and the CORE Ensemble (1993–2000). Learn more about Mark.
