Awards & Recognition
Press & Reviews
"Margaret Batjer brings extraordinary depth and sensitivity to her performances, combining technical mastery with profound musical insight."
Los Angeles Times
"A consummate musician whose artistry and leadership have made the LA Chamber Orchestra one of the finest ensembles of its kind."
The Strad Magazine
Biography
Margaret Batjer is one of America's most distinguished violinists, renowned for her artistry as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader. Since 1998, she has served as Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, where she also serves as Director of Chamber Music.
A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with the legendary Ivan Galamian and David Cerone, Batjer has built an international career spanning solo performances, chamber music, and teaching. She made her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1974 and has since appeared as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Dallas Symphony, and many other leading ensembles.
Her international engagements include performances with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Berlin Symphony Orchestra, and the Hallé Orchestra, at venues including La Scala, Carnegie Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Suntory Hall in Japan.
An esteemed chamber musician, Batjer was a longtime participant at the Marlboro Music Festival and has collaborated with artists including Salvatore Accardo, Maurizio Pollini, Yo-Yo Ma, and Hilary Hahn. In 2020, she formed the Los Angeles Piano Trio with pianist Fabio Bidini and cellist Andrew Shulman.
Her recordings include a Deutsche Grammophon album with Hilary Hahn and the LA Chamber Orchestra, the Bach Double Concerto with Salvatore Accardo for Philips, and the premiere recording of Pierre Jalbert's Violin Concerto on the BIS label.
A dedicated educator, Batjer served as Professor of Violin at USC Thornton School of Music until 2024 and now serves as Director of the Colburn School's Music Academy. She has been a valued member of the Music Academy of the West faculty since 2015, where she mentors the next generation of exceptional string players.
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