Dr. Miriam Ward English
![Dr. Miriam Ward English](/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/music/faculty/adjunct-faculty/_images/ward%20photo%2022%20headshot-min.jpg)
Education
D.M.A. in Viola performance – University of Wisconsin, Madison (2004)
M.M. in Viola performance – Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins (2001)
B.M. in Viola performance – Manhattan School of Music (1995)
Biography
Dr. Miriam English Ward has performed chamber music and as a viola soloist throughout
the United States and internationally including Canada, Japan, Singapore, Mexico,
Spain, and Norway. In addition to numerous groups dedicated to performance of work
by living composers, she has played in baroque ensembles at the University of North
Texas, Portland's Amadeus Chamber Orchestra and as a member of the Madison Bach Musicians
(Wisconsin).
As an educator, Dr. Ward has taught and coached for the Preparatory Divisions of the
Juilliard School and the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, Chiba Prefecture
(Japan) Youth Symphony, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras, the Eugene-Springfield
(Oregon) Youth Orchestras, Portland Youth Philharmonic, and Metropolitan Youth Symphony
(Oregon). She has taught at various colleges and universities, including Ripon College
(Wisconsin), Lewis & Clark College, Multnomah University and Corban University (Oregon).
Recent projects include recordings for Naxos, live performances for All Classical
FM (Fall 2022 and in syndication), a new viola concerto written for her by Jasnam
Daya Singh and premiered with the Portland Chamber Orchestra, and commission of several
new chamber works by composers to be completed in 2024/25. She has also welcomed a
new collaboration with Alaska Youth Orchestras to build a chamber music program for
their students.
Dr. Ward teaches both violin and viola and welcomes students of all levels. She strives
to inform her teaching with knowledge of the best practices recommended by neurology
including the psychology of building a strong practice habit in daily life. She enjoys
working with students to "learn how we learn", to strengthen performance skills, and
to prioritize enjoyment of consistent focused work.