Irene Wade has been a violist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 1979. She was Principal violist in the Lincoln (NE) Symphony, and has played with the Jackson Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, Winston-Salem Symphony, and Roanoke Symphony orchestras. Ms. Wade earned a Bachelor of Music in viola performance with distinction from the Eastman School of Music, attended Oberlin Conservatory and College, and received a diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts. She was a graduate teaching assistant at Memphis State University and also at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she earned the Master of Music degree. Other academic awards include the National Honor Society and a four year National Merit Scholarship.
In addition to her symphony career, Ms. Wade has taught violin and viola in the Memphis area since 1981, and is an instructor with the Suzuki String Program of the Community Music School at the University of Memphis. She has been recognized as an Outstanding Teacher by the faculty and students of the Tennessee Governors School for the Arts.
Ms. Wade is married to Jeff Lehr, a senior operations analyst with FedEx Express. They have adopted two retired greyhounds, who love long walks, visiting with neighbors, and helping Irene practice.