Mitchell Newman retired in 2020 after 36 years as a violinist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra but he’s not hanging up his bow any time soon.

Newman has joined the faculty of Prysm Strings at the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute. He will work with director Gloria dePasquale, a cellist with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The talented violinist hopes to use his retirement to work in music education.

The former Curtis Institute of Music graduate and his wife are happy to be back in the Philadelphia area.  

“Philadelphia is blessed with outstanding music education institutions that are deeply committed to bettering children’s lives through music,” he said. “I have always believed that music can bring people together, serve as a catalyst for change, and transform lives.”

Newman said he’s committed to giving children of all backgrounds access to music and to nurture the next generation of artists, both on stage and backstage in management and the boardroom.

He has supported several social causes through music.  He played concerts to bring awareness to mental health issues, performed for homeless and incarcerated communities and worked with the LA Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra program.

He now teaches an orchestral repertoire class for violinists at Curtis.