Stephen Majeske began his training on the violin at the early age of four. His talents as a child prodigy were soon recognized by Ivan Galamian and Josef Gingold while he attended the Meadowmount School of Music. Mr. Galamian asked Mr. Majeske to attend the Curtis Institute of Music in 1970 at the very same time that Joseph Gingold invited him to study with him at Indiana University.
Mr. Majeske’s father, Daniel Majeske, who was George Szell’s last great concert master of the Cleveland Orchestra, insisted that his son, Stephen Majeske, attend the Curtis Institute, which he had also attended 20 years earlier. While he reluctantly complied with his father’s wishes, Mr. Majeske was determined to spend every summer with Mr. Gingold at the summer festivals. Mr. Majeske considers Josef Gingold to be his greatest mentor and teacher.
During Stephen Majeske’s 2nd year at the Curtis Institute, he won a position as first violinist with the Minnesota Orchestra. Four years later he became a first violinist in the Cleveland Orchestra, where he performed for nearly 25 years. He was named Principal Second Violin by Christoph von Dohnányi in 1994.
Mr. Majeske brings a vast wealth of experience to the table when he helps young people prepare for important orchestral auditions, competitions, and juries as well as college entrance auditions.