Wulliman (’01) performs at GC

Wulliman ('01) at left with Spektral QuartetProfessional violinist and Goshen native J. Austin Wulliman (’01) performed with Spektral Quartet on Friday, Jan. 20, in Reith Recital Hall at Goshen College’s Music Center. Wulliman, a 2001 graduate of Bethany Christian High School, has gained a reputation for his dynamic performances in Chicago’s new music scene, but is equally adept in performing the group’s wide-ranging repertoire from classical to contemporary pieces.

Now a professional violin teacher and performer, Wulliman got his start locally, when he began studying violin at age 5 through the Goshen College Suzuki Program. Though his first serious consideration of a professional career as violinist resulted from the encouragement of his private violin instructor during high school, he is quite appreciative of this early exposure to music and attributes that exposure and the encouragement he received from his parents, Bud and Phyllis Wulliman, as highly influential in his eventual journey to becoming a professional musician.

Wulliman’s decision to attend Bethany was very crucial in his personal development that led toward his career in music. He says, “Coming out of middle school I was very muddled in my outlook on life, wanting to quit music and try to be an excellent athlete in competitive sports. However, the change in scenery and increased value placed on creativity and the arts (by students and teachers), helped lead me toward opening myself up to music that I loved. It was a natural development of me finding my own passions, but the environment at Bethany aided me in exploring my creative side and being motivated to make art with others.”

Following his graduation from Bethany, Wulliman attended Goshen College for two years, traveling to Chicago for lessons with Blair Milton at Northwestern University. He then transferred to the University of Michigan School of Music where, under the tutelage of Aaron Berofsky, Wulliman graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s of music in violin performance in 2006. He continued his studies with Blair Milton, serving as his teaching assistant, and receiving a master of music in violin performance from Northwestern University. Other notable honors include holding a fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival (solo violin in the contemporary ensemble), Lucerne (Switzerland) Festival, and the Brevard Music Center (String Quartet Fellowship).

In addition to performing with the Spektral Quartet, which is the adjunct ensemble in residence at the University of Chicago where he maintains a private violin studio, Wulliman serves as program director for Ensemble Dal Niente, a mixed instrumentation contemporary music ensemble that provides opportunities for young performers and composers. Dal Niente has performed projects at major universities and concert halls, received support from major granting institutions such as the Fromm Foundation at Harvard University, and was recently awarded the Kranichsteiner Stipendiepriese from the Darmstadt Summer Courses for Contemporary Music in Germany, where the group will present a concert and participate in a workshop featuring internationally emerging composers.

Advice Wulliman passes on to young musicians from his mentor Blair Milton, “Practice slower to learn faster.”