Rudolf Haken is a Professor of Electric Strings and Viola at the University of Illinois, where he leads the world’s only degree program in Electric Strings. Previously he served as viola professor at West Virginia University, as well as guest violist for the Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera.

A recipient of the American Record Guide “Critics’ Choice” award, Professor Haken has composed commissioned works for violinists Rachel Barton Pine and Stefan Milenkovich, Paul Merkelo (principal trumpet of the Montreal Symphony), oboist Nancy Ambrose King, flutist Jean Ferrandis, and clarinetist William King, 

Haken regularly performs and teaches at festivals and conservatories throughout Europe, Asia, North America and South America. He has performed in London, Beijing, and Shanghai as principal violist of the Sinfonia da Camera, and has toured South Korea with the World Symphony Orchestra. Professor Haken has acted as adjudicator for the Houston Symphony Young Artists, Midwest Young Artists, Chicago Youth Orchestra, and Chicago Viola Society competitions, and has served on the international jury for string auditions of the Korean Broadcasting Service Symphony Orchestra.

At the age of ten, Haken conducted his first orchestral works with the encouragement of Professor Charles DeLaney. Haken studied composition and piano with Hubert Kessler, viola with Guillermo Perich, and conducting with Paul Vermel. 

Haken’s current recording project is a 12-part video series for the Electric Violin Shop, performing the complete Bach Violin Sonatas and Partitas and Cello Suites, each on a different electric viola. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl1EomZB2NA-lo5R34pzWi9DCpwalv8kb