Double Bass at Penn State

Penn State Double Bass Studio is dedicated to preparing students to become versatile, well-rounded musicians ready to thrive in diverse musical and professional settings. Whether your goal is to perform, teach, or pursue a career outside the arts, our program builds the strong foundations and artistic flexibility you need to follow any musical path.

Our curriculum is both rigorous and adaptable, cultivating confident performers, knowledgeable musicians, skilled educators, and engaged professionals. Under the mentorship of Dr. Patricia Weitzel, each student’s experience is personalized to align with their goals and artistic vision. While rooted in classical training, students are encouraged to explore a variety of styles, showcasing the double bass’s remarkable versatility across genres.

Bassists at Penn State enjoy abundant performance opportunities, including the Penn State Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Big Bands and Combos, Chamber Music, Baroque Ensemble, and a dedicated double bass quartet. Students also perform regularly in studio classes, guest artist master classes, and recitals. All students receive weekly private lessons, participate in weekly studio class, perform in large ensembles, and work with distinguished guest artists from around the world. In recent years, the studio has welcomed acclaimed performers and educators such as Joel Quarrington (international soloist), Edward Perez (Grammy-winning jazz artist), Paul Thompson (jazz artist), Dominik Wagner (international soloist), Mikyung Sung (international soloist), Phoebe Russell (principal bass, Queensland Symphony), Nina Bernat (Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient), Nicholas Meyers (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), Andrew Kohn (West Virginia University), Miles Brown (University of Delaware), Ian Saunders (Project STEP) and Nikita Naumov (principal bass, Scottish Chamber Orchestra), providing students with invaluable inspiration and professional connections. The studio also provides double basses and equipment for qualified students to use in lessons and ensemble performances.

Beyond campus, students take part in the wider music scene of State College and central Pennsylvania. The area offers performance and teaching opportunities across many styles, including jazz, classical, pop, and bluegrass. State College boasts live music every night of the week, and the region is home to three symphony orchestras.

At Penn State, the double bass is more than an instrument – it’s your gateway to a lifetime of musical possibility.