Avery  Ensemble

Meet guest violinist Michael Duffett

Michael recently graduated from Boston University with a DMA in Violin Performance, studying under Dana Mazurkevich. Having spent his childhood in Cape Town South Africa, Michael began his US studies at the age of eighteen. At the Cleveland Institute of Music under Joel Smirnoff, Michael completed his Bachelor of Music degree and then went on to complete his Master’s degree at Yale University under Syoko Aki. After receiving his DMA, Michael taught and performed at faculty concerts at Boston University Tanglewood Institute and then joined the Hartford Symphony Orchestra as principal second violin in September 2023.

During his time at BU, Michael performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, both in Cape Town and in Stellenbosch, South Africa. As winner of the BU Soloists’ Competition, Michael was selected to perform at BU Night at the Pops, with the Boston Pops Orchestra, conducted by Keith Lockhart at Symphony Hall. Other highlights for Michael at BU include winning the BU Bach Competition for solo Bach works, winning the Carnegie Hall Competition, and performing the Mendelssohn Concerto with the BU Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Bramwell Tovey.

Over his university years, Michael played in the Britten-Pears Orchestra in the UK over many summers. A particular highlight was being concertmaster when the orchestra, conducted by Marin Alsop, performed a series of concerts, the recordings and videos of which were released by Naxos. Other highlights over the years include being a member of the Aldeburgh World Orchestra which toured Europe and performed at the BBC Proms, and being invited as one of a few representatives from the Commonwealth to perform with The Scottish Ensemble in Scotland and England, including at the Edinburgh International Festival.