Ian Stripling Jenson graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance and Political Science in May 2023 and is now pursuing a Master of Music degree at the University of Michigan under the tutelage of Fabiola Kim. Ian’s former primary instructors include Dr. Pasha Sabouri and Dr. Stephen Miahky; he has also worked with many other leading violin pedagogues including Paul Kantor (Rice), Naoko Tanaka (Juilliard), Jinjoo Cho (McGill), Miriam Fried (New England Conservatory), Mimi Zweig (Indiana University), and Almita Vamos. During his undergraduate years, Ian pursued secondary studies in viola and historical performance under Dr. Christina McGann and Dr. Maria Romero, respectively. Ian has studied and performed at the Aspen Music Festival, Encore Chamber Music Festival, Sounding Point Academy, and the Chautauqua Institution. As the recipient of the Texas Cultural Trust’s Young Master Grant in 2018 and a representative for the Art Can campaign, Ian is a public advocate for expanded funding for the performing arts in his home state of Texas. Having taken part in the 2022 Brevard Project, Ian is a leading proponent for the diversification of the American classical music canon and the programming of historically marginalized composers.

Ian is the recipient of The Henrietta W. Schlager Scholarship, the Rev. Dr. Xolani and Tamara Kacela Scholarship Fund, and The Reed Family Scholarship.