Violinist Mitchell Newman retired from the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2020. During his 34-year career, he worked with many of the world’s great conductors including music directors Andre Previn, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Gustavo Dudamel, and guest conductors Simon Rattle, Kurt Sanderling, Herbert Blomstedt, Thomas Wilkins, Eric Leinsdorf, Zubin Mehta, Emmanuelle Haim, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Michael Tilson-Thomas, and Simone Young.
A passionate advocate for bringing music to underserved communities, Mr. Newman founded “Harmony: Music for Mental Health”, a chamber music/fundraising concert for Mental Health America Long Beach. In 2010 he was named a mental health hero by the California State Senate. In 2015 he started “Coming Home to Music” which brings concerts of classical chamber music and jazz concerts to people who were experiencing homelessness, who are now living in apartment complexes built by People Assisting the Homeless (PATH).
Mr. Newman is also a dedicated teacher. He was deeply involved in the LA Phil’s Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) program since its inception, providing its students private lessons, master classes, and conducting string sectionals. For more than a decade he planned, curated, conducted, and hosted, in English and Spanish, an annual concert featuring YOLA students and LA Philharmonic members playing side-by-side. Mr. Newman occasionally travels to Mexico to give master classes and perform fundraising concerts for the Benning Academy. The Academy builds outstanding music conservatories and provides free lessons and instruments to Mexico’s most needy children in their neighborhoods. Mr. Newman has also taught at the Colburn School, The Curtis Institute of Music, the Philadelphia International Music Festival, and conducted the string ensemble of the Pascale Music Institute, leading the ensemble in a concert at Carnegie Hall in 2017.
Currently, Mr. Newman resides in Philadelphia. He is collaborating with composer Lucas Richman on the “Paths To Dignity Project.” Broadening the work he did in Los Angeles, the project features Mr. Newman performing Mr. Richman’s violin concerto “Paths To Dignity.” Additionally, Mr. Newman is facilitating the collaboration between musical institutions and homeless advocacy organizations in the cities where he performs with the goal of inspiring and motivating others to continue the important work in bringing humanity and dignity to a community that desperately needs support in this time of crisis. There are performances scheduled in Raleigh, NC, Kalamazoo, MI and Bangor, ME.
Mr. Newman also teaches chamber music ensembles for the Settlement School, and The University of Pennsylvania. He conducts the String Chamber Orchestra at Play On Philly, and the Chamber Players Orchestra for Temple University Preparatory Division. He also teaches privately.
Mr. Newman is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, studying violin with Aaron Rosand, David Cerone, and Yumi Ninomiya. He studied chamber music with Karen Tuttle, Felix Galamir, and Mischa Schneider. At the Meadowmount School for Strings he studied violin with Ivan Galamian and chamber music with Josef Gingold.
Message from Mitch
I believe that orchestras, its managements and musicians, need to be active, visible leaders on and off the stage to grow and remain relevant and viable in their communities
During my thirty-four year career as a violinist in the Los Angeles Philharmonic, one of my passions was performing music to bring awareness and dignity to the issues surrounding mental health and homelessness. For my advocacy and fundraising efforts for Mental Health America Long Beach (CA) I was named a mental health hero by the CA State Senate. Through my association with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) and Street Symphony, I have been able to bring the dignity and humanity music provides to the homeless community along with the benefits of satisfaction and, depth to the musicians’ life, and recognition to the orchestra.
Composer Lucas Richman and I have launched the Paths To Dignity Project, a collaboration and residency between me, your orchestra, the homeless community and its providers to build long lasting relationships and awareness to all involved. The weeklong residency begins with rehearsing with orchestra members for small ensemble performances in homeless shelters. The week concludes with a showcase concert featuring my performance of the new violin concerto, Paths To Dignity, by Lucas Richman, a panel discussion after the concert, and information booths in the lobby of the concert hall. In advance of my arrival, I help facilitate discussions between the orchestra managements, homeless providers, and media. I can also help plan for
panel discussions and information booths in the concert hall lobby if desired.
~ Mitchell Newman