MUSICIAN — VIOLIST — PILATES TEACHER — FRANKLIN METHOD EDUCATOR — ROLL MODEL METHOD PRACTITIONER

About Eva Stern

I’m captivated by understanding how our minds work and how we learn best.

I have an ADHD brain that thrives on movement, imagery and out-of-the-box approaches to life. My synesthesia causes me to see a kaleidoscope of colors when I listen and perform. I love to use colorful, creative props in my teaching (and studies show our brains respond). I’m constantly thinking about how everyone has their own personal experience of music and movement.

My work is to help every individual understand their own learning and unlock their own potential in a fun, creative environment.

Music was always part of my house growing up.

Some of my earliest memories are of writing songs with my sister — she played guitar and I sang.

I grew up in a creatively rich environment: my mom was a multimedia visual artist, my dad a psychology professor with a passion for landscape gardening and my sister a prodigiously talented musician.

Music was always a part of our lives, from tinkering on our upright piano to being immersed in everything from Tchaikovsky to Barry Manilow. Both my sister and I experience synesthesia, associating colors with pitches and keys, which adds a unique layer of our musical experiences.

Creativity even ran through the generations — my grandfather was a professional violinist who spent most of his career performing in Broadways shows.

Music for me has always felt like a natural choice. At every turn that life has offered me I choose to continue to play.

For over two decades, I dedicated my life to performing and teaching as a professional violist.

I’ve played with some of the top orchestras in the United States, immersed myself in chamber music and shared my passion for viola and performance through teaching at the collegiate level.

My journey into movement modalities began during my undergraduate years at Purchase College. As a young violist, I was intent upon addressing the repetitive strain injuries that came with honing my craft while also finding ways to support my anxiety and mental health. Curiosity is what led me to pursue certifications in Pilates, the Roll Model Method and the Franklin Method all of which can be combined in unique and useful ways to support overall wellness as a creative.

The Franklin Method in particular struck a deep chord within me. The way I process mentally has always felt "other", but I found a home in the Franklin Method's way of utilizing mental imagery and embodiment in movement cues. This visual and experiential approach has become an integral part of how I lead classes and workshops and within my own practice allowing the blending of artistry of music with the science of movement.

I’ve combined my passion for movement and music pedagogy into Forte Movement— my programming designed to bring wellness to the music community (and beyond!)

Think of it as a symphony of workshops tailored for musicians and creatives tackling everything from physicality and posture to musicality, while covering anxiety-busting strategies, focus, creativity and even longevity.

These workshops are offered both virtually as well as around the United States, and cater to musicians and creatives of all types and experience levels.

If you’re creative and want to move, you belong here.

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, Viola Performance
    Purchase College, State University of New York

    NY Master’s of Music, Performance and Literature, Viola
    Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY

  • ORCHESTRA

    Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, section

    Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, section

    Detroit Symphony Orchestra, substitute

    Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, substitute

    Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, substitute

    Oregon Symphony, substitute

    CHAMBER MUSIC

    Muse Ensemble

    American Romanian Festival

    Chautauqua String Quartet

    • Franklin Method Faculty In-Training

    • Franklin Method Level 2 Educator Certification Continued Study of DNI with a focus on muscle and fascial systems.

    • Franklin Method Level 1 Educator Certification Development of expertise in Dynamic Neurocognitive Imagery (DNI) and Bone rhythms.

    • Franklin Method Pelvic Floor Fascia Trainer Certification

    • Franklin Method Lower Back Fascia Trainer Certification

    • Roll Model Method Teacher Certification Training in self-myofascial release & mobility work.

    • Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Certification, Balanced Body Certified on Mat & all Pilates apparatus.

  • Part of the Faculty

    Eastern Michigan University 2001-2010

    Bowling Green State University 2002-2003

    Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts 2021-2024

Institutions & Programs I've Partnered With

Testimonials

  • Eva Stern is in unique position of combining expert training and experience in viola performance with the thorough training of a Pilates instructor. Having worked side-by-side with her in the orchestra allowed me to get to know her as the great musician she is. Having worked one-on-one in Pilates setting opened up a whole world of new information to me.

    A wise psychologist, Eva understands every person she works with, and knows how to adjust to one’s level of fitness and general understanding.

    Working with her not only focuses you and helps to find your own unique path in achieving utmost movement efficiency, but allows to you work through your own individual challenges and build upon your strengths.

    I am sure working with her would be extremely helpful for anyone; for musicians, however, it is truly enlightening.

    —Dr. Olga Dubossarskaya Kale
    Violin professor, Cleveland Institute of Music

  • Eva just gets it!

    As a musician she has had a great career as a performer in various settings. She understands the common issues that musicians face with their bodies, unforgiving rehearsal schedules, cramped performance spaces and stress.

    As a Pilates instructor she is remarkably in tune with the needs of her students and guides them towards greater efficiency in their movements.

    Eva’s unique abilities along with her personal warmth make her a fantastic teacher.

    — Ken Thompkins
    Principal Trombone of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra

  • I have hired Eva Stern as a presenter to my community of musicians several times, and the sessions have all been wonderful. She has a deep knowledge of Pilates as well as a complete understanding of the physical challenges professional musicians face.

    I think Eva is the perfect guide for any musician, whether they are seeking help with pain relief, injury prevention, or better health and alignment in general.

    Working with Eva is a very positive experience, and I always learn so much from her. Her videos are a great resource in addition to live coachings. I highly recommend working with her.

    — Molly Sharp
    Principal Viola of the Richmond Symphony and creator of VlaTutti

  • Eva’s thoughtful, thorough, and well informed approach to Pilates instruction puts everyone at ease.

    I always leave her classes feeling more aware of how my muscles work to support what my body needs to do- refreshed and energized and ready to put her ideas and instructions into action!

    — Amanda Gates

    Chair of Instrumental Music, Governor’s School for the Arts; Assistant Concertmaster of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra; Violinist with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra

  • Eva’s Pilates sessions are something I look forward to every week.

    Her positivity, kindness and support are easy to feel during our classes, even across the span created by our virtual meetings during the pandemic.

    I always finish our sessions feeling more mindful and centered, and she has helped me continue my journey of finding balance, good posture, proper alignment and body awareness.

    I’m so grateful!

    — Jocelyn Smith
    Violist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra

  • Personal, effective, and fun.

    Eva's instruction is the real deal!

    — Karen Lord Powell
    Lecturer of Violin, University of Miami Frost School of Music; Violinist with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra

  • During her visit to Bowling Green State University, Eva provided the string students with such practical, relatable, and deeply important insights about how their bodies engage with their instruments.

    The tools Eva shared are easy to implement, and she explained everything in an accessible, engaging manner!

    Many thanks!

    — Lisa Martin
    Associate Professor of Music Education, Bowling Green State University

  • Eva Stern has presented Pilates workshops for the Musicians’ Health: Music and Medicine course at the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music at Old Dominion University.

    Because of Eva’s own career as a musician, she has first hand knowledge of the many physical challenges faced by musicians, and how to manage them in a realistic manner.

    Her presentations are outstanding, featuring movement along with very clear, “real-world” explanations.

    Thank you for instructing, informing, and motivating our students and faculty!

    — Dr. Douglas T. Owens
    F. Ludwig Diehn Endowed Chair, Instrumental Music Education & Director of the ODU Jazz Orchestra, Old Dominion University

Ready to work together?