Curtis Mourns the Loss of Nancy H. Ellsworth (Violin '48)

Curtis mourns the loss of trailblazing violinist, Kennedy Center Orchestra concertmaster for twenty-five years, author, and teacher Nancy H. Ellsworth (’48) who passed away of a brief illness at age 98, on May 1, 2023, in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Born on September 22, 1924, in Stockton, California to Wilhelmina R. Harbert and Dr. Ellis Harbert, Ms. Ellsworth became enamored with the violin after observing her mother, an accomplished vocalist and musician who served as an inspiration figurehead during her formative years, rehearse with a violinist colleague for a recital performance at the College of the Pacific, and began lessons at age three. Accompanied by her mother, she gave her first recital at age four and caught the attention of many notable teachers on the West Coast, including Lucie Bruch, niece of Max Bruch, the German composer, Nathan Abas, then concertmaster of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra; followed by Horace Brown, professor of violin at the College of the Pacific. Recognized as a musical prodigy from an early age, the young violinist gave numerous concert concerts throughout California in the 1930s, as she continued to grow in her talents.

Ms. Ellsworth’s college career began at age fourteen at Mills College in Oakland, California, where she studied composition with Darius Milhaud, chamber music with the legendary Budapest String Quartet, and Naoum Blinder, succeeding concertmaster of the San Francisco Symphony. Ms. Ellsworth continued her graduate studies at Curtis in 1945, studying with faculty member Efrem Zimbalist, where she received an artist’s diploma in 1948. She was courted by the Denver Symphony and joined the ensemble while studying at the school. In 1950, she won a coveted position with the Pittsburgh Symphony and met her future husband, accomplished violinist Mark Ellsworth, with whom she moved to Washington, D.C., a few years later. Together, they quickly established themselves as prominent artists in the D.C. musical scene and continued to perform duet recitals for years to come.

Throughout her remarkable career, Ms. Ellsworth served as concertmaster of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, the Washington Opera Orchestra, and Wolf Trap Orchestra, and served as first violin of the National Gallery Orchestra. She presented concerts with the Kindler Foundation and the National Gallery of Art and gave the second U.S. performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in C-sharp minor, Op. 129, with a subsequent performance for the United Nations Delegates on UN Day in 1968. She gave the first performances of works by Greek-French avant-garde composer Iannis Xenakis and presented many recitals with violist Ann Bickford on early-televised programs hosted by Guy Mariner and with the Denver Chamber Orchestra.

In addition to being the author of two books, Ms. Ellsworth was an ardent advocate for equality and a beloved violin teacher who blazed numerous trails for women in classical music and the arts.

The Curtis community extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, former students, and colleagues of Ms. Ellsworth.

Read Ms. Ellsworth’s obituary HERE. Photos of Nancy H. Ellsworth courtesy of Spirit of Jefferson, Ellsworth Music Supply, and the Curtis Library and Archives.