Dr. Miriam English Ward holds a Bachelors from the Manhattan School of Music, a Masters from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins, and a Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, all in Viola Performance. At UW Madison, she also studied theory pedagogy, won the Strelow Graduate Teaching Fellowship with the Pro Arte Quartet and completed a special project in Arts Administration. Having enjoyed the privilege of studies and master classes with Kim Kashkashian, Leon Fleisher, Edgar Meyer, Pinchas Zucherman, Cynthia Phelps, Heidi Castleman, Karen Tuttle and the Takács Quartet, she is now focused on sharing that knowledge and passion with musicians and audiences throughout the Northwest.

As a freelance performer Dr. Ward plays with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Eugene Symphony, Oregon Bach Festival, Siletz Bay Music Festival and Festival Amadeus in Kalispell, Montana. In recent seasons, she has collaborated in chamber music with Nathaniel Rosen, Peter Framil, Heidi Krutzen, Lorna McGhee, Haroutune Bedelian, Lindsay Deutsch, Joel Fan, and performed a piece for viola with video installation by Robert Coburn. Dr. Ward’s students have successfully prepared for college entry, festival scholarships, and most importantly a rich enjoyment of music both as performers and as engaged audience members. She is director of Rose City Music Academy, which is dedicated to providing a vibrant musical community for K-12 students and professional teachers throughout metro PDX.