Henry MacDonnell is a violist and violinist based in Somerville, MA, with a diverse array of experience performing in orchestral, chamber, and solo environments.

He is currently finishing up his M.M. in Viola Performance at The Longy School of Music of Bard College, studying with Paula Majerfeld, as well as playing viola in the New Hampshire Philharmonic. He also frequently appears at weddings and receptions in the New England region with the Fenway Quartet and multiple production companies.

Formerly, he was the concertmaster and co-orchestral librarian of the UMass Lowell University Orchestra, as well as a violist in the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra & Melrose Symphony Orchestra. He also frequently appears at weddings and receptions in the New England region with the Fenway Quartet. He recently toured Europe with the New England Ambassadors of Music under the direction of Donald Runnings. The various chamber groups he has performed in include string quartet, string sextet, string ensemble, viola quartet, horn quintet, and oboe/viola/piano trio.

As an instructor, Henry has had extensive teaching experience in both group and individual settings. He currently teaches at Boston String Academy, and teaches private lessons at the Music Academy of Chelmsford. In addition, he formerly conducted and taught for the UMass Lowell String Project and Upbeat New Hampshire, running string ensembles and individually instructing violin and viola students. 

He recently completed a B.M. in Music Performance at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, studying viola with Mark Latham. His other previous instructors include Luke Miller, Shadwa Mussad, and Mary Weeks. His eclectic musical interests and performances range from early music to contemporary, and also include rock, bluegrass, and indie music.   

In his free time he reads widely, enjoys photography, and plays guitar, tennis, and chess.