Judith Insell, a champion for musical diversity and music education advocacy.
Judith Insell, a Bronx native, has been an active member of the New York jazz, classical, and pop scene since the mid-nineties.
Violists can play anything!
Lee Konitz, Greg Osby, Steve Coleman, Antonio Hart, and Miguel Zenon are just a few of the many jazz greats with whom Ms. Insell has had the pleasure of performing and recording. As a founding member of the jazz string group “Sojourner,” Ms. Insell has not only explored self-expression through improvisation, she has also ventured into the realm of composition with the title track of the group’s CD “Journey” and arranging such standards as Thelonious Monk’s “I Mean You.”
Her debut CD, "Dark Wood Explorations," a duo project with acclaimed jazz bassist Joe Fonda, was released in September 2008. Continuing her pursuit of creativity, Ms. Insell has recently formed a collective with Virg Dzurinko (piano), Eli Asher(trumpet), & Leonid Galaganov(drums/percussion), provocatively name “Jump Off This Bridge” and previously collaborated with Reut Regev(trombone) & Tomas Ulrich(cello) in the “Twisted Standard Trio.”
Ms. Insell has also had an active career on the “pop” music scene performing and recording with artists Beyoncé, India.Arie, Suzanne Vega, Jessica Simpson, and “Joe.” As a member of the “Soldier String Quartet,” she was on an extensive world tour with rock legend John Cale throughout the nineties. She has appeared on Saturday Night Live “SNL” (India.Arie) & Late Night With Stephen Colbert (Legend of Zelda Orchestra).
She has performed with the New Jersey Symphony, the National Chorale Orchestra, and is currently a member of the Greenwich Symphony. She has performed in the Broadway Orchestras for Les Miserables (25th Anniversary Edition), A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Gypsy, Ms. Saigon, Tommy, Carousel, Kiss of the Spider Woman and is currently performing in the off-Broadway sensation “SUFFS” at the Public Theater.
As an administrator and educator, Ms. Insell is currently the Executive Director of the Bronx Arts Ensemble after serving as its Artistic Director and was formerly a member of The Juilliard School's "Educational Outreach Team," serving as a mentor and consultant to the Morse Teaching Fellows. She previously held the position of Director of the School for Performing Arts at Bronx House, Director of Music at The Harlem School of the Arts, Assistant Director of Instrumental Studies at Mannes College The New School for Music, Director of the String Program at The Collegiate School, Director of the String Program at The Juilliard School- MAP Program and Director of the String Program at The Bloomingdale School of Music. She is currently on the chamber music faculty for New York Youth Symphony & the New England Music Camp Chamber Music Intensive.
Ms. Insell also served as a contributing writer for All About Jazz – NY from January 2006-2008.
Ms. Insell attended the Manhattan School of Music where she was classically trained, receiving both her Undergraduate and Master’s degrees.