Dr. James Lyon

Professor

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Biography

Praised as a "dramatic violin soloist," James Lyon has garnered critical acclaim for performances such as Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K. 219, with appearances in locations including Amman, Jordan, at the request of Queen Noor, and Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall. A member of Penn State's musical ensembles, such as the Castalia Trio and Duo Concertant, Lyon has shared his expertise through masterclasses at esteemed institutions like the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the Paris Conservatory. His past roles include being a member of the Harrington Quartet and winning the Grand Prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Lyon's students have excelled in various competitions, producing numerous young prizewinners and music educators. He has received accolades from the Pennsylvania-Delaware String Teacher's Association and was notably a Schreyer Distinguished Honors Professor from 2011 to 2014. Lyon's recordings are available globally, featuring works by historic women composers and arrangements by Brahms and Ravel. Currently, he performs on a 1869 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin, living in Boalsburg, PA with his cellist wife, Carol Purdy.

Research Interests

Requirements for Pennsylvania State University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:23
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7
GRE General
Prerequisites
Master's degree in related field for PhD Baccalaureate degree from accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Writing Sample
  • Official Transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE scores are highly recommended but not strictly required for Applied Linguistics.