Benjamin Chilton

currently holds a Masters of Music Degree from the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, where he studied with internationally-acclaimed violist Paul Coletti. Previously, he graduated magna cum laude  from the University of Southern California with a Bachelors in Viola Performance, where he studied with professors Don McInnes and Che-Yen Brian Chen. In his youth, he studied violin with professor Julia Bushkova and viola with Dr. Susan Dubois.

Benjamin has performed in wide array of ensembles, from historic to modern. His most recent work includes a section position with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in the 2019-2020 season. His passion for early music was inspired by the Colburn Baroque Ensemble, led by Dr. Ian Pritchard, where he gave regular concerts throughout Los Angeles and worked with historical performance experts such as Elizabeth Blumenstock. Furthermore, he was a core member of the Kontrapunktus Baroque Orchestra and has performed with the Tesserae Baroque Ensemble with Christophe Rousset. In his studies, Benjamin has also served as Principal Violist of both the University of Southern California Symphony and Colburn Conservatory Orchestra, under the leadership of conductors such as Carl St. Clair and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Additionally, he has performed alongside the Dallas Symphony and New York Philharmonic on NPR’s From the Top and at the Music Academy of the West, respectively. Benjamin has also worked with composers such as Andrew Norman and Donald Crockett on new musical works, having been part of the USC Thornton Edge Ensemble and performed with the What’s Next Ensemble.

Benjamin was one of the founding members of the Kahlo Quartet, who were invited as Young Artists in Residence with the Da Camera Chamber Music Society of Los Angeles, the featured quartet at the Rencontres Franco Americaines Festival in Missillac, France, and the highlighted quartet on Dynamic Films’ score to An Act of Love. In addition, Benjamin has performed in various concert series, including collaborations with the Calidore Quartet and Ramon Ortega with the Colburn Chamber Music Society and pianist Jeremy Denk at the Music Academy of the West. He has performed in recital alongside luminaries such as Richard O’Neill, François Salque, and Peter Lloyd.

As an educator, Benjamin has taught in Lewisville, Frisco, Lovejoy, and McKinney Independent School Districts as a private instructor and sectional coach, in addition to giving masterclasses on All-Region and All-State preparation. Benjamin has also served as a teaching fellow at the Music Academy of the West and at Sunset Chamberfest’s Young Composer’s Workshop. He actively maintains a private studio, teaching both violin and viola.

Benjamin has also been named 2nd Place in the National American String Teachers Association competition in the Senior Viola division, been featured on the cover of The Strad Magazine, and appeared on NBC’s The Voice.