Josephine Stockwell earned a BM (Bachelor of Music) from Oberlin Conservatory where she was awarded the Charlotte Kemsies Scholarship. She is currently a master’s student in Helen Callus’ studio at Northwestern University, where she was chosen to be one of Callus’ Graduate Assistants. Stockwell’s enrollment is supported by the Richard and Helen Thomas Endowed Fellowship.

In addition to being enrolled in a full academic course load and enjoying the performance schedule of a master’s student, Stockwell is a regular member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She previously performed with the Canton Symphony Orchestra in Canton, Ohio and can be heard on the Oberlin Music and Naxos Records labels.

Stockwell has participated in the Heifetz International Music Institute, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, Credo Chamber Music, Music@Menlo, and Music at Tateuchi, where she worked with San Francisco Symphony musicians as a Teaching Fellow.

Stockwell is comfortable performing baroque, classical, and contemporary music. She enjoys the challenge and the breadth in musical exposure that comes with being a versatile player.

She is also an experienced orchestra librarian, having served various organizations in that capacity over a five year span. In March 2022, she will join the library team for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

A passionate advocate of mentorship, education, and accessibility, Josephine began playing viola at the age of 8 and began teaching private lessons at the age of 14. In the eleven years since, she has coached, mentored, and taught musicians in many different circumstances, ranging from weekly mentoring of the freshman viola class at Northwestern, to teaching private lessons and chamber music in Spanish to children in Panama, to creating community and collaboration among high school and college aged musicians around the world in her role of Student Experience Assistant Manager at the Heifetz International Music Institute’s 2020 virtual festival. 

Alongside her deep devotion to cultivating beauty, meaning, and empowerment through music, Stockwell is a lover of many other arts as well. She doesn’t know the meaning of the word “bored” as she enjoys singing, drawing, photography, latin dancing, cooking and baking, personal development, travel, interior design and organization, and cutting and styling hair for musicians’ performances.

Stockwell performs on a Giovanni Pallaver viola crafted in Verona, Italy and a John Aniano bow made in New York.