Hometown: Oberlin, OH, USA

Natalie Brennecke is a violist currently pursuing her studies at The Juilliard School under the guidance of Heidi Castleman and Hsin-Yun Huang. She graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2024, where she was a student of Jeffrey Irvine, and also studied with Jean Sulem at the Paris Conservatory for an exchange semester. 

In 2025, Natalie participated in the Hindemith International Viola Competition and was a finalist in the Juilliard Concerto Competition. Recent appearances include performing Penderecki’s Viola Concerto at Severance Hall in Cleveland and performing Bartok’s Viola Concerto with the Asheville Symphony.  

Natalie has participated in masterclasses with Kim Kashkashian, Antoine Tamestit, the Jupiter Quartet, and the Miró Quartet, and has received coaching from various members of the Cleveland Orchestra. She has had the privilege of collaborating with notable artists, including Itzhak Perlman, and has engaged with various faculty members at The Juilliard School. 

As a committed chamber musician, Natalie participated in CIM’s Advanced String Quartet Program with the Estella Quartet. Together, they achieved 2nd place at the 2023 Glass City Chamber Music Competition, were recognized as prizewinners in the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and competed in the 2023 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. 

She attended the Kneisel Hall Music Festival in 2024, the Bowdoin Music Festival as a Fellow in 2023, and the Aspen Music Festival as a Fellow in 2022. Natalie currently performs on a 2021 viola, beautifully crafted by Gabrielle Kundert.