Ben Ullery
viola
About this Artist
Praised by the Chicago Tribune for his “febrile intensity,” violist Ben Ullery enjoys a multifaceted performing career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral leader, and educator.
In 2023 he was chosen by Music Director Gustavo Dudamel for the position of Associate Principal Viola of the LA Phil, where he had held the position of Assistant Principal since 2012. In addition to his appearances with the LA Phil, Ullery has performed across the country and abroad as guest Principal Viola with the Chicago Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Australian Chamber Orchestra.
As a chamber musician, he has been in high demand in the Los Angeles area and at festivals and concert series in the U.S. and Europe. In addition to having performed over 50 chamber works on the LA Phil’s Chamber Music series at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Ullery has appeared at the Mozaic, Music in the Vineyards, Mainly Mozart, Emerald City, Music at Millford, Leksand, Grand Teton, and Aspen festivals, among others. He has been featured on NPR’s Performance Today as well as local broadcasts on KUSC in Los Angeles and on Minnesota Public Radio. As a recording artist, he has been featured on releases on the Bridge and Albany record labels.
An enthusiastic teacher, Ullery is on the teaching faculty at the Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles, where he teaches orchestral repertoire as well as coaching the Colburn Orchestra’s viola section.
A native of St. Paul, MN, Ullery earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory and later studied violin at New England Conservatory and viola at the Colburn School.