Ronald Houston

Ronald Houston’s “round and vibrant tone quality…[and] technically immaculate performances…made me fall in love with the music all over again... I cannot recall ever hearing playing with such impeccable intonation or with a bowing technique that permits such long and unbroken phrasing” — David Denton, The Strad Magazine.

Ronald Houston is adjunct associate professor of viola and violin in SMU Meadows’ Division of Music. Currently, he is the director of the JDR Music Academy in Plano, Texas, where he teaches a studio of talented violinists and violists. He previously served as a lecturer at Texas Christian University. Houston’s students have been top prizewinners in competitions including the MTNA National Competition, Lynn Harrell Competition, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, Schmidbauer International Young Artist Competition, Vernell Gregg Young Artists Competition, Juanita Miller Concerto Competition and Dallas Symphonic Festival. He has also given masterclasses at the Boston Conservatory, Louisiana State University, Texas Tech University, Sam Houston State University, University of Kansas and University of Texas at Arlington. He conducts the ViolaPower! Ensemble, comprised of his students, and known for performances throughout the DFW Metroplex and at Dallas Mavericks games. 

A multifaceted performer, Houston has presented numerous solo, chamber and orchestral performances. As a soloist, he has performed concerti with orchestras including the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Irving Symphony, New Life Symphony and Plano Symphony. His orchestral experience ranges from appearances as principal viola with the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, Plano Symphony, and Santa Fe Pro Musica to appearances in the sections of the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops orchestras. His chamber music performances include appearances at the Ameropa Music Festival, International Musical Arts Institute, Kneisel Hall and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. He also previously served as director of the Canyon Creek Chamber Music Society. His solo performances of the music of Bach and Flackton can be heard on the ProViola classics label, where he is joined by his wife, pianist Inmi Houston.

Houston received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the New England Conservatory, as well as an M.B.A. from Indiana University in Bloomington. His teachers have included Walter Trampler, Donald McInnes, Burton Fine and William Lincer. He currently resides in Plano, Texas, with his wife, pianist Inmi Houston, and his dog, Benji. During his free time, he loves to golf, and cook and eat great food.