Jane Hershey began her musical studies at the Longy School of Music of Bard College with Gian Silbiger; she continued at The Royal Conservatory in The Hague, studying viola da gamba with Wieland and SIgiswald Kuijken, and recorder with Frans Brueggen.
Early in her career, she toured and recorded with the Boston Camerata. Since that time, she has performed on both viola da gamba and violone with many ensembles, such as Hesperus, the Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, Emmanuel Music, and Monadnock Music. She is a regular member of the Carthage Consort, which has performed at the American Repertory Theater’s production of “Dido, Queen of Carthage,” in the Aston Magna Festival, and as a featured ensemble at the Viola da Gamba Society’s annual Conclave. She is a longtime member of the Arcadia Players of western Massachusetts, as well as Arcadia Viols. Ms. Hershey can be heard on a 2005 recording of the music of Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, with Frances Fitch and friends.
In addition to teaching in both the Continuing Studies and Conservatory divisions at the Longy School of Bard College, she has directed the Tufts Early Music Ensemble since 1995, and has taught viol to students of all ages for many years at the Powers Music School. She is active in the Viola da Gamba Society of America, serving on its Board of Directors and directing many workshops, most recently the 2011 Wieland Kuijken Residency.