Reuben Payne attends Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he is enrolled in a five-year dual degree program in Viola Performance and Chemical Engineering. He studies viola with Roland Vamos. He is principal viola in the Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Victor Yampolsky.

He began playing viola in 1998. His past teachers include Lizzie Charles, Amy Eckert, and Korine Fujiwara.

Reuben was a member of the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestras for seven years, and was a member of the Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra’s Young Strings for eight years. Throughout his high school career Reuben participated in the Ohio Music Education Association Mid-East Region Orchestra. He was a member of the 2005, 2006, and 2007 OMEA All-State Orchestras.

He enjoyed playing with the Chamber Music Connection in Worthington for many years, and was a CMC fellow.