Detroit-based violinist and violist Magnolia Rohrer (they/them/she/her) specializes in experimental chamber music and improvisation, and is curious about connective tissue between traditional classical forms and personal creative practices.  Magnolia is the violinist of Hub New Music, a quartet described as “a prime mover of piping hot 21st century repertoire” (the Washington Post) dedicated to commissioning and touring new chamber works. Magnolia is also the violinist and violist in Virago, a Michigan-based quartet that explores the liminal space of improvised chamber music through deep listening practices and extramusical collaborations.   With Hub and Virago, Rohrer has released four albums, which have garnered descriptions such as “a bright, exuberant release” (A Closer Listen), “disarming intensity” (All About Jazz) and “luxurious double stop harmonies and breathy/twangy bowing reminiscent of Southern congregation singing” (I Care if You Listen).   Magnolia is especially interested in old and new musical traditions informing one another; their recent solo project is a long-form viola piece with fixed media exploring microtonal polyphony.

Rohrer shares violin and viola duties in the Kalkaska String Quartet with whom they frequently perform around Southeast Michigan.  Magnolia has recently performed with New Music Detroit, the Detroit Opera Orchestra, and the Ann Arbor Symphony, and is a member of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Rohrer has been presented locally by the University Musical Society, the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the University of Michigan, New Music Detroit's Strange Beautiful Music Festival, and the Third Place Concert Series. Touring has brought Rohrer to many of the most renowned stages and festivals in the country, such as the MATA Festival, Roulette Intermedium, Merkin Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Bowdoin International Music Festival.  International performance credits include concerto appearances with the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan and at the Thailand International Composers Festival.  Upcoming international appearances include work in Melbourne with Virago in December 2025.

Educational work includes violin and viola masterclasses at universities such as University of Illinois, Virginia Commonwealth University, Sacramento State University, University of Houston, and Shenandoah Conservatory.  As a chamber music coach, Rohrer has sustained training from the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra summer workshop and immensely enjoys giving chamber music masterclasses while on the road. Rohrer has taught through the Sphinx Organization, Crescendo Detroit, the Crowden Music Center, the Ann Arbor Public Schools, the Àkójọpò Music Festival, The People’s Music School in Chicago, and the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra.  Pedagogical training includes Suzuki certification, workshops with Mimi Zweig, and study with Ed Sarath. Passionate about improvisation pedagogy, Magnolia has led sustained improvisation workshops in Detroit, Flint, Ypsilanti and Interlochen.

Magnolia earned their masters degree at the University of Michigan studying with Danielle Belen and Caroline Coade, and holds a bachelors degree from Northwestern University where they studied with Blair Milton.  Magnolia grew up in New Mexico and California and is now embracing life as a Michigander. In their free time, Magnolia enjoys baking sourdough bread and attuning to the ever expanding Star Wars universe.