Wynne Wong-Rife

Wynne Wong-Rife is a Tucson native. She was a member of her public school orchestras from fifth grade through high school, played in Tucson Junior Strings and Tucson Youth Symphony. After studying with John Ferrell at The University of Arizona for one year, Wynne transferred to the Eastman School of Music where she studied with Peter Salaff of the Cleveland Quartet, and was awarded a B.M. with Distinction in Violin Performance. At Eastman she met and became engaged to David Rife, and in 1981, both decided to attend New England Conservatory of Music. Wynne graduated from the New England Conservatory in 1983 with a M.M. in Violin Performance, and thereafter returned to Tucson with David to marry and start a family. Wynne has a multi-faceted career as a member of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and the Southwest String Quartet/Quintet. She recently retired from the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Quartet/Quintet in 2018. In addition, she maintains a large class of violin and viola students, several of whom have placed in competitions and soloed with orchestras. Wynne is also on the faculty of Rocky Ridge Music Center (Estes Park, CO), and Quest for Education and Arts (Tucson, AZ). Wynne and David have two daughters, Melissa and Molly (both ‘cellists) and three cats. In addition to teaching and performing, Wynne also enjoys photography, knitting and Starbucks (not necessarily in that order).