Ken Allen

Violist Ken Allen brings a unique blend of artistic and intellectual depth to his performances with chamber ensembles and orchestras across New England. Recent performances include appearances with the Cambridge Viola Quartet, Cape Symphony, Lexington Symphony, Lowell Chamber Orchestra, New England Repertory Orchestra, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Portland Bach Experience and Wagner in Vermont summer festivals.

Beyond the stage, Ken is a dedicated advocate for his instrument. He helped start and currently leads the Massachusetts Viola Society, a vibrant community born from online connections during the pandemic's early days. What began as a virtual gathering has blossomed into a thriving 501(c)(3) organization, now a proud partner of the American Viola Society. Ken's commitment to fostering musical connection is further reflected in his memberships with the American String Teachers Association, Boston Musicians' Association, and Early Music America.

Ken's path to a career in music was far from linear. His early passions included math, modern dance, and literature, leading him to earn a degree in English with highest honors from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a Graduate Prize Fellowship at Harvard. However, his love of music-making, sparked by a variety of extraordinary teachers, ultimately led him to pursue a Master of Music from the Boston Conservatory and a graduate diploma in Historical Performance from the Longy School of Music.

He resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Marlboro, Vermont, with his husband and cat, playing violas crafted by Douglas Cox.