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.