Rebecca Swan

Violist Rebecca Swan earned her Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Heidi Castleman and Misha Amory. Before joining the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra, she was a sought-after freelancer in the Chicago area and is currently Principal Violist of the Chicago Sinfonietta, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, and Elgin Symphony Orchestra. She is also a member of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and former principal viola of the Rockford Symphony.

Rebecca has performed with numerous ensembles throughout the Chicago area, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Music of the Baroque, Chicago Philharmonic, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and Camerata Chicago. She has appeared as a soloist with the Rockford Symphony, Camerata Chicago, and the Elmhurst Symphony. A passionate chamber musician, she has performed live on WFMT with Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues and is a founding member of both the Ivy Lane String Quartet and the Hedera Quartet.

Her orchestral experience also includes performances with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Iris Orchestra under Michael Stern, New World Symphony with Michael Tilson Thomas, Civic Orchestra of Chicago with Daniel Barenboim, and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica in San José. She served as Principal Viola with the Charlotte Broadway Series in Charlotte, NC. Rebecca has also played in stage orchestras for artists including Josh Groban, Stevie Wonder, Andrea Bocelli, and the Game of Thrones concert tour.

Rebecca has participated in prestigious festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival, the Perlman Music Program with Itzhak Perlman, Musicorda, the Quartet Program, Madeline Island, and Credo. Her awards include first place in the ASTA Biennial Solo Competition and first place in the Stanger Young Artist Concerto Competition. She has also been a prizewinner in the Chicago Viola Society Competition and the Hudson Valley String Competition.

Outside of music, Rebecca enjoys training for marathons (she’s completed four!), tackling home improvement projects, and spending time with her family.

Last updated: September 16, 2025