Photo Credit, Mike Ritter

Ruben McFarlane is an arts administrator, string teaching artist, and violist currently living in the Boston area. His work centers on creating equal opportunities for educational institutions and communities to experience the performing arts. 

Ruben currently works as the Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships with Castle of our Skins and as General Manager of the New England Philharmonic. Along with his work in Boston, he serves as the Education Programs and Partnerships Manager with the PostClassical Ensemble in Washington, DC. As a rising arts leader, he is a member of Cohort 7 in Sphinx LEAD, a 2-year leadership program designed to evolve the industry landscape by empowering the next generation of executive arts leaders.

Passionate about teaching young string players, Ruben teaches private violin and viola lessons through his private lesson studio. He previously worked as a teaching artist with the DC Youth Orchestra Program and two Northern Virginia public school districts (Fairfax County and Prince William County).

An active performer and freelance violist, Ruben has performed in venues across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, China, and South Korea. He previously held positions and performed with the Williamsport Symphony, Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, and Rhode Island Philharmonic.

Originally from upstate New York, Ruben holds Bachelor Degrees with Summa Cum Laude honors in Viola Performance and Music Education from Penn State University, and a Master Degree in Viola Performance from The Catholic University of America.