Elizabeth Freimuth ’98, Shepherd School of Music alumna and principal horn of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, will join the Shepherd School of Music faculty as professor of horn in the fall of 2025. Freimuth takes on the role after serving in a guest teaching artist capacity during the 2024-25 academic year.
“My musical training at Shepherd equipped me to not only succeed but thrive as an orchestral and chamber musician. It’s a dream to return to a musical community that means so much to me,” Freimuth said. “Working with the exceptional students in the horn studio over the past semester has been inspiring, and I look forward to joining the Shepherd faculty.”
With over 25 years of experience as an orchestral musician, Freimuth brings a wealth of knowledge to the Shepherd School. As principal horn of the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops orchestras since 2006, Freimuth has an extensive performance history with the orchestra that also supports the Cincinnati Opera and Ballet. She is the former principal horn of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and Kansas City Symphony and was a section horn in the St. Louis Symphony and Colorado Symphony. During the summer, Freimuth is principal horn and instructor at the Brevard Music Festival. Her other recent guest orchestral appearances include the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and the KBS Symphony in South Korea.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Liz back to Shepherd,” said Shepherd School Dean Matthew Loden. “Her track record as a motivating educator and experienced orchestral musician is impressive, and her enthusiasm and teaching talent will have a tremendous impact on our Shepherd community.”
A sought-after educator, Freimuth joined the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati as an adjunct horn instructor in 2011. Her previous teaching roles include guest horn instructor at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, horn coach at New World Symphony and adjunct professor at University of Missouri-Kansas City. Since 2019, she has co-hosted an annual summer Horn Intensive at the Eastman School of Music for high school and preprofessional students.
As an advocate for promoting her instrument and the expansion of solo horn repertoire, Freimuth is co-executive director of the International Horn Competition of America.
“Liz embodies a unique combination of artistry, dedication and passion for teaching, and she will undoubtedly inspire our students as they shape the future of classical music,” said Barbara Butler, professor of trumpet and director of the artist diploma program. “I’m delighted to welcome Liz to our brass faculty and look forward to collaborating with her.”
Before completing her Master of Music degree at the Shepherd School, Freimuth attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she received bachelor’s degrees in French horn and music education.
Learn more about the Shepherd School here and view a full faculty roster here.