Ellen Ferdon
Viola
Ellen Ferdon grew up in Raleigh, NC, where she began playing viola in the public school system at age nine. She continued through the Raleigh Youth Symphony programs, participating in chamber music, competitions, and master classes at Meredith College and NC State University. Ferdon studied at UNC Greensboro with Judson Griffin and at the UNC School of the Arts with Sally Peck. While a student at UNCSA, she was a member of the Piedmont Chamber Orchestra, the Winston-Salem and Greensboro symphonies, and attended the Aspen Music Festival and UNCSA International Music Program. Since joining the Charlotte Symphony in 1984, she has regularly performed in the Providence United Methodist and St. Peter’s chamber music series, and has remained a long-time member of Carolina Strings. In addition to her private teaching studio, Ferdon has served as an adjunct instructor of viola at UNC Charlotte.
Offstage, Ferdon enjoys baking, mixology, puzzles, and exploring coffee houses. Her husband, Jeff Ferdon, has been a double bassist with the CSO since 1985. They love spending time with their beautiful grandson, Benjamin.
Ellen plays on a viola by American luthier Gabrielle Kundert.
What piece made you fall in love with music?
Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 6 and 8 and Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis.
What's your best or most memorable concert experience as a musician?
The Charlotte Symphony performed Beethoven's 9th alongside the Polish National Opera Orchestra during a European tour in 1987 for one of the largest gatherings in Europe at the time.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I had an amazing experience hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks.
