Joan DerHovsepian took on her current role as principal viola following her successful international audition in May 2023. She initially joined the Houston Symphony in 1999 when Christoph Eschenbach hired her as one of the orchestra's violists.
From 2010 onward, she held the position of associate principal viola during Hans Graf's tenure as conductor. In her new capacity as principal viola, she now performs under the leadership of the ensemble's current music director, Juraj Valčuha.
Before her time with the Houston Symphony, Joan DerHovsepian had a rich musical journey. She served as the principal viola of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, took on the role of guest principal viola with the Chicago and Cincinnati symphonies, and performed with the Rochester Philharmonic for two seasons.
Among her notable solo performances with the Houston Symphony were the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante with concertmaster Yoonshin Song and the Bruch Double Concerto with principal second violin MuChen Hsieh.
Joan DerHovsepian is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg. Her mentors during her education included James Dunham and Kim Kashkashian. She also served as the former violist of the award-winning Everest Quartet and achieved recognition, including the second prize in the Primrose International Viola Competition.
In addition to her performance career, Joan DerHovsepian is an educator, holding the position of artist teacher of viola at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music. Many of her students have successfully secured positions in major American and European symphonies and opera orchestras, such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Washington National Opera.
Furthermore, she has been a frequent guest faculty member for the New World Symphony and has conducted viola orchestral excerpt masterclasses at prestigious institutions like the Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.
Joan DerHovsepian has made appearances at various festivals and chamber music events, including the Seattle Chamber Music Society, Mainly Mozart Festival, Grand Teton Music Festival, Mimir Chamber Music Festival, Music in Context, Peninsula Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, and Lake Lure Chamber Music Festival.
