Faculty Chair Profile
Charles Pikler
NMS Viola Faculty
Principal Viola, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Charles Pikler launched his career as a violinist with the Minnesota Orchestra in 1971, later becoming a member of the Cleveland Orchestra and the Rotterdam Philharmonic. Pikler joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a violinist in 1978 where he was eventually named principal violist in 1986.
Pikler has been featured as soloist with the CSO, the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Pikler performs with the Chicago Symphony String Quartet and has been a guest with the Daniel String Quartet in Holland, the Vermeer Quartet, and the Louisville String Quartet.