Steven Wilke is a dual-degree graduate of Northwestern University.
Steven Wilke is a tenured violinist of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, having joined both orchestras at age 21. Steven graduated from Northwestern University in 2024, receiving a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance alongside a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Spanish. During his studies, he served as concertmaster of the NU Chamber Orchestra, played viola in the chamber music program, and was awarded the Presser Scholar award by the Bienen School of Music for his musical and academic accomplishments. His economics honors thesis analyzed the educational background of professional orchestral musicians and the earnings of music graduates and was awarded the Coen Award for Distinguished Honors Thesis by the Department of Economics. Steven also received the Deibler Award for Excellence in Economics and led student organizations including Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations and the Northwestern Economics Tournament.
Steven began violin lessons in the Suzuki method at age five with Marcia Edwards in North Carolina. He moved to Madison, WI at age eight and is grateful to have been inspired by insightful teachers and mentors Blair Milton, Eugene Purdue, Heidi Kenney, I-Hao Lee, and Suzanne Beia. Steven was an active member of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras for over seven years, serving as concertmaster of the Youth Orchestra and interning in the WYSO office during his senior year at Madison West High School.
Steven is based in Chicago, IL and outside of music, works as an Education & Research Consultant at Huron Consulting Group and enjoys running, cooking, and baking delicious treats!
