Renowned musicians Jessica Lee and Hal Robinson join faculty ahead of 2026-2027
MACON, Ga. — The Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at Townsend School of Music is excited to welcome acclaimed violist Emily Brandenburg to the faculty as the school’s new director for the upcoming 2026 fall semester.
An alumna of the McDuffie Center’s class of 2013, Brandenburg also holds degrees from the New England Conservatory and Yale University, served as artist in residence at the University of Evansville, and has performed as a member of the Cassatt Quartet as well as with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Albany Symphony, Princeton Symphony, Portland Symphony and many others.
Bradenburg will succeed artistic director Amy Schwartz Moretti, who is set to depart the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at the end of this academic year to concentrate on her performing career.
“As a graduate of this extraordinary program, I am deeply honored and genuinely thrilled to step into the role of director of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings,” said Brandenburg. “The Center played a transformative role in my development as both a musician and a person, and it is profoundly meaningful to return in this capacity. Robert McDuffie’s passion and vision in creating this truly unique training ground for young artists continue to define the spirit and excellence of the Center. I am especially grateful to Amy Schwartz Moretti for her remarkable mentorship and leadership — her dedication shaped my experience as a student, elevated the Center into the world-class institution it is today, and has made a lasting impact on the musical community at large.
“I am excited to work alongside an extraordinary roster of world-class artists as we guide and inspire the next generation of musicians.”
Along with Brandenburg’s addition ahead of fall 2026, the McDuffie Center will welcome two more renowned performers to the school’s faculty as distinguished artists. Violinist Jessica Lee, who was recently assistant concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra and is current associate concertmaster of the Oregon Symphony, will co-lead the school’s violin studio alongside Distinguished Artist Stefan Jackiw. Bassist Hal Robinson joins following his time as principal bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra and on the faculty of the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School. Robinson will co-lead the bass studio with fellow Distinguished Artist Daniel Tosky.
Additionally, nine-time Grammy Award-winner Lawrence Dutton, McDuffie Center distinguished artist and violist of the Emerson String Quartet, will curate the Center’s Fabian Concert Series beginning in fall 2026.
“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome our former student Emily Brandenburg as she returns to her alma mater to lead the McDuffie Center,” said McDuffie Center founder Robert McDuffie. “She is not only a world class violist, but she also thoroughly understands the mission of our school as a former administrator and will guide us to even greater success for many years to come. Emily is uniquely qualified to take the baton from Amy Schwartz Moretti, her former teacher and our founding director. I’m grateful to Amy for almost 20 years of inspiring leadership and wish her well as she continues to wow audiences with her artistry.”
About Emily Bradenburg
Brandenburg is a New York City–based musician acclaimed for her deeply expressive artistry and distinctive low-voice sound. Her work spans chamber music, orchestral performance and solo repertoire, marked by performances of striking intensity and nuance.
She has appeared with leading ensembles including the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, New York Classical Players, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra, Metropolis Ensemble, Long Island Chamber Music and numerous ensembles throughout New England. A dedicated chamber musician, Brandenburg is known for bringing both emotional depth and intellectual rigor to collaborative performance. She is a former member of the Cassatt String Quartet (New York City) and the Eykamp String Quartet (Evansville, Indiana).
Brandenburg is a passionate advocate for contemporary music and active collaboration with living composers. Recent projects include work with Joan Tower, Victoria Bond, Mari Kimura, Will Rowe, Wang Jie and Vineet Shende. Her festival appearances include Yellow Barn, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Rome Chamber Music Festival and Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival.
She holds degrees from Yale University, the New England Conservatory and Mercer University. A certified Suzuki teacher, Brandenburg maintains a private violin and viola studio in New York City and serves on the faculty at Riverdale Country School.
About Jessica Lee
Lee has built a multi-faceted career as soloist, chamber musician, pedagogue, assistant concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra until the 2023-24 season, and most recently as associate concertmaster of the Oregon Symphony. She was the grand prize winner of the 2005 Concert Artists Guild International Competition and has been hailed as “a soloist which one should make a special effort to hear, wherever she plays.” Her international appearances include solo performances with the Plzen Philharmonic, Gangnam Symphony, Malaysia Festival Orchestra and at the Rudolfinum in Prague. At home, she has appeared with orchestras such as the Houston, Grand Rapids and Spokane symphonies.
Lee has performed in recital at venues including Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Ravinia “Rising Stars,” the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., and the Kennedy Center.
A longtime member of the Johannes Quartet as well as of The Bowers Program (formerly the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Two), Lee has also toured frequently with Musicians from Marlboro, including appearances at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Boston’s Gardner Museum, and with the Guarneri Quartet in its farewell season. Her chamber music festival appearances include Chamber Music Northwest, Bridgehampton, Santa Fe, Seoul Spring, Caramoor, Olympic and Music@Menlo.
Lee has always had a passion for teaching and has served on the faculties of Vassar College, Oberlin College and as head of the violin department at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music at age 14 following studies with Weigang Li and graduated with a bachelor’s degree under Robert Mann and Ida Kavafian. She completed her studies for a master’s degree at the Juilliard School.
About Hal Robinson
Harold Hall Robinson joined The Philadelphia Orchestra as principal bass in September 1995, a role he held until his retirement in 2022. He previously served as principal bass with the National Symphony (1985-95), assistant principal bass of the Houston Symphony (1977-85) and principal bass of the New Mexico Symphony (1975-77, then known as the Albuquerque Symphony). A prizewinner at the 1982 Isle of Man Solo Competition, he has performed concertos with The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Houston Symphony and Houston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, the American Chamber Orchestra and the Greenville (South Carolina) Orchestra. A native of Houston, Robinson studied at Northwestern University and the Peabody Conservatory and has given recitals and master classes throughout the United States, Korea, Japan and Europe.
