Jon Engberg has enjoyed a long and prosperous affiliation with the Eastman School, beginning with undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies, and culminating in a career as Eastman’s associate director of academic affairs and associate dean of graduate studies from 1975 to 1995. Coming to Eastman in 1950 as a freshman cellist from Los Angeles, he received his bachelor’s degree in 1954, his Performer’s Certificate in 1955, his master’s degree in 1956, and a doctor of musical arts degree in 1970. His cello teachers at Eastman were Gabor Rejto, Georges Miquelle, Alan Harris, and Ronald Leonard, and he studied chamber music with John Celentano. While a student, he was a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under Erich Leinsdorf and the Rochester Civic Orchestra under Paul White, and also played in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under Joseph Krips and Milton Katims. While a member of the U.S. Marine Band Chamber Orchestra in Washington, D.C., from 1955 to 1959, he, along with violinist Donald Portnoy and pianist Arno Drucker, formed the American Arts Trio. The trio played together until 1975, teaching at West Virginia University (1959-1975), presenting concerts, and appearing as soloists with orchestras throughout the United States and abroad. During these years, Dr. Engberg also taught at the Catholic University of America and, on a visiting basis, at the University of Colorado. In 1965 he played for Pablo Casals in Casals’ master class in Pittsburgh. Before returning to Eastman in his administrative role in 1975, he served for five years (1970-1975) as chair of the Division of Music at West Virginia University’s Creative Arts Center.
Eastman School of Music
