Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships | Castle of Our Skins

Ruben McFarlane is an arts administrator, string teaching artist, and violist based in the Boston area. His work centers on creating equal opportunities for educational institutions and communities to experience the performing arts. 

As the Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Castle of our Skins, Ruben leads all community and educational initiatives. This includes managing the annual Black Student Union Intercollegiate Fellowship, the Music Inclusion Hub, and educational partnerships with music institutions. Leading a team of teaching artists, he oversees the development of new K-12 curriculum guides and production of educational workshops, offered directly to schools and community organizations across Boston.

Ruben also works with the PostClassical Ensemble (PCE) to develop and maintain continuous educational programs. He has designed annual in-school workshops and field-trip visits for multiple K-12 public schools within Washington DC. In addition to his current roles, he has held administrative positions with the New England Philharmonic, Berklee College of Music, and Boston City Singers.

Passionate about teaching young string players, Ruben teaches private violin and viola lessons through his private lesson studio. He previously worked as a teaching artist with the DC Youth Orchestra Program and two Northern Virginia public school districts (Fairfax County and Prince William County). As a freelance violist, Ruben has also performed with the Williamsport Symphony, Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, and Rhode Island Philharmonic.

Originally from upstate New York, Ruben holds Bachelor Degrees with Summa Cum Laude honors in Viola Performance and Music Education from Penn State University, and a Master Degree in Viola Performance from The Catholic University of America.