Detroit-based violinist and violist Magnolia Rohrer (they/them/she/her) specializes in experimental chamber music and improvisation, and is curious about connective tissue between traditional classical forms and personal creative practices. Magnolia is the violinist of Hub New Music, a quartet described as “a prime mover of piping hot 21st century repertoire” (the Washington Post) dedicated to commissioning and touring new chamber works. Magnolia is also the violinist and violist in Virago, a Michigan-based quartet that explores the liminal space of improvised chamber music through deep listening practices and multimedia collaborations. With Hub and Virago, Rohrer has released four albums on US and Australian labels. Magnolia is especially interested in old and new musical traditions informing one another; their recent solo project is a long-form viola piece with fixed media exploring microtonal polyphony.

Rohrer shares violin and viola duties in the Kalkaska String Quartet with whom they frequently perform around Southeast Michigan. Magnolia has recently performed with New Music Detroit, the Detroit Opera Orchestra, and the Ann Arbor Symphony, and is a member of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. International performance credits include concerto appearances with the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan and at the Thailand International Composers Festival. Upcoming international appearances include work in Melbourne with Virago in December 2025.

Magnolia earned their masters degree at the University of Michigan studying with Danielle Belen and Caroline Coade, and holds a bachelors degree from Northwestern University where they studied with Blair Milton. Magnolia grew up in New Mexico and California and is now embracing life as a Michigander. In their free time, Magnolia enjoys baking sourdough bread and attuning to the ever expanding Star Wars universe.