Benjamin Burgdorf (’20)
Benjamin Burgdorf is an artist seeking to expand the possibilities and alter modern perceptions of classical music. This is accomplished through his work as a performer, educator, and administrator.
As a performer, he served as the violist of Lux String Quartet from 2013-2018, acting principal violist with the Des Moines Symphony, section violist with the Quad City Symphony, an improviser in Improvestra, a travel-blogging, busking, improvising street artist and wannabe poet in Wormwood, and a frequent collaborative soloist with composers and artists both locally and nationally. He has served as interim violist of the Belin Quartet’s 2017 season and has enjoyed substitute orchestral engagements with Orchestra Iowa, Mankato Symphony, and the South Dakota Symphony.
As an administrator, he serves as Artistic Director of the Oskaloosa Music Festival. He also organized events for Classical Revolution Twin Cities from 2012-2013.
Burgdorf holds a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Viola Performance from the University of Minnesota and has recently returned to academia to pursue a Master’s in Viola Performance as well as a Fundraising Management Certificate through the Arts Administration program.
The 21st century artist needs to understand not just how to perform on stage, but also how to create their own opportunities in a vibrant, highly competitive music industry. The courses of the Fundraising Management Certificate have already provided me with essential tools for improving these skillsets for my own projects and are also helping to open up other opportunities for working in the world of the arts.