Violinist Augusta McKay Lodge is internationally recognized for her vibrant and historically informed performances as a soloist, chamber musician, concertmaster, and director. Praised for her expressive artistry and commanding presence, she appears regularly with leading period ensembles across Europe and North America. 

As a sought-after soloist, Augusta has appeared with the American Classical Orchestra, Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, Juilliard415, Jupiter Ensemble, Les Arts Florissants, Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien, and Voices of Music. Her solo appearances include Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center (New York), Royal Albert Hall (BBC Proms), Alhambra Hall (Geneva), Palais du Grand Large (Saint-Malo), the Edinburgh Festival, and the Berkeley Early Music Festival. 

As a director, she guest-directed the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players, and will direct an upcoming concert with the Oregon Bach Festival Baroque Orchestra in summer 2026.

A passionate leader, Augusta performs frequently as concertmaster with many of today’s leading early music ensembles, including Les Arts Florissants and Voices of Music.

A passionate chamber musician, Augusta performs regularly with Ensemble Jupiter, Le Consort, and Hemiolia Ensemble, as well as in trio and quartet with her sister, Georgina McKay Lodge. 

Her recordings have been widely praised. Solo discography includes Beyond Bach and Vivaldi (Naxos), Corelli’s Band (Naxos), and J.G. Braun: Chamber Music from the Court of Frederick the Great (Brilliant Classics). A special LP edition of Vivaldi’s “Grosso Mogul” concerto, recorded with Voices of Music, is available on 180-gram vinyl. Recently as concertmaster, La Chapelle Harmonique’s album of Colin de Blamont: Les Fetes grecques et romaines (Chateau de Versailles Spectacles) won a prestigious Diapason D’or. 

Dedicated to mentoring the next generation of musicians, Augusta serves as Director of the Voices of Music Emerging Artists Program, which brings educational video courses and masterclass workshops to young musicians throughout the United States. She joins the faculty of the Oregon Bach Festival’s Berwick Academy this summer 2026.

Highlights of the 2026 season include directing her program The Elements at the Oregon Bach Festival, and a three-city tour of Australia in August 2026 performing Vivaldi violin concertos with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. She will also return as a faculty member of the 2026 Berwick Academy at the Oregon Bach Festival. 

A native of Oberlin, Ohio, Augusta now resides in Paris. She studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and The Juilliard School, where she was a Kovner Fellow, English Concert American Fellow, and Mercury-Juilliard Fellow. 

Augusta performs on a Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin (1867) and a baroque violin by Jason Viseltear (2014), with gut strings.