Nicholas R. Mowry (b.1993) is a violist and composer from Kenosha, Wisconsin.  He began playing viola at age 8. Mowry holds two Bachelor degrees in Viola Performance and Music Composition, and a Master's degree in Viola Performance each from Michigan State University. He has made a guest appearance with the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble and has performed with many regional orchestras in Michigan while serving as a member of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra.  In 2017, he appeared as guest with the Circulo Trio.  Mowry has appeared in masterclasses with Charlie Pikler, former principal violist of the Chicago Symphony, Shmuel Ashkenasi, founder of the Vermeer Quartet, Brooklyn Rider, the St. Lawrence Quartet, Johnny Gandelsman, Hsin-Yun Huang, Rami Solomonow, and Danilo Rossi. 

 

While a student at Michigan State University, Mowry studied with Yuri Gandelsman and served as principal violist in the Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra.  He toured Michigan performing Copland's Appalachian Spring for 13 Players from memory in 2013.  In 2016 and 2017, Mowry performed with the Ad Libitum Chamber Orchestra and International Chamber Soloists respectively.  He briefly performed for the Broadway musical, Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder in 2016 while on tour.  While studying with University of Wisconsin-Parkside's Alvaro Garcia, he won the Kenosha Symphony Concerto Competition where he made his debut solo performance with the orchestra in 2010.  He was a quarter-finalist in the Junior Division of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in 2011. 

 

 

 

Since graduating with his Master's degree in 2017, he has moved back to Southeast Wisconsin where he performs with many regional orchestras while serving as the Principal Violist of the Racine Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Principal Violist in the Lake Forest Symphony.  He teaches privately in his home.  He strives to inspire his audience to achieve a level of personal excellence and greatness.   

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Aside from performing, Mowry composes instrumental concert work with a focus on string writing as well as occasional film scoring.  He studied with Dr. Jere Hutcheson and Dr. Mark Sullivan while studying music composition at Michigan State University.   He is an avid fan of auto racing, leadership, and self-improvement.  He achieved the Eagle Scout Rank through the Boy Scouts of America in 2011 and currently resides in Kenosha, Wisconsin with his wife, Mary Mowry.