Ken Allen

Violist Ken Allen brings a unique blend of artistic and intellectual depth to his concerts with chamber ensembles and orchestras across New England. His performance schedule includes frequent engagements with Cape Symphony, Lexington Symphony, Lowell Chamber Orchestra, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, and Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra. He also appears regularly at the Portland Bach Experience and Wagner in Vermont summer festivals.

Ken’s work extends beyond performance into advocacy and community-building. As a Teaching Artist with Castle of Our Skins, he helps celebrate Black artistry through education and performance. He is also a member of the American String Teachers Association, American Viola Society, Boston Musicians’ Association, and Early Music America.

Ken’s path to music weaves together diverse passions. His early interests in math, dance, and literature led 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. Inspired by extraordinary teachers, he turned fully toward music, earning 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. Still an avid reader and dancer, he performs on violas crafted by Douglas Cox.