Often, the string musicians we “spotlight” here at StringOvation were born into professional music families - for example, bassist Charnett Moffett and violist Tabea Zimmerman. These individuals were launched into their professional string musicians from a young age. That wasn’t the case for the Russian-born violinist, Philippe Quint. In fact, until his teen years, Philippe was determined to become a soccer star or a professional chess player. He even fantasized about a career as an astronaut. 

 

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Previously, we posted an Artist Spotlight featuring Damien Escobar – a non-traditional violinist with classical music training that serves as a foundation for his hip-hop inspired music. Today, we're featuring Black Violin – a dynamic duo who also use their exceptional musicianship to produce a mashup of both classical and hip-hop genres. The group consists of viola player Wilner Baptiste (Wil B.) and violinist Kevin Sylvester (Kev Marcus).

 

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August 25, 2018, is the centennial of Leonard Bernstein's birthday and the entire world is celebrating! In fact, the world has officially been celebrating this cultural giant's 100^th birthday since August 25, 2017, and the global festivities are scheduled to continue through August 25, 2019. That’s right. It takes two full years to celebrate Bernstein’s 100^th birthday with the full honors the legendary composer, conductor, pianist, and teacher is due. 

 

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What do you think about when you envision the life of a famous violinist? Odds are, you don't picture American violinist Damien Escobar’s path. While many of the typical "professional violinist" boxes are checked – Julliard grad, multiple awards and becoming world-famous; there are plenty of other boxes that don't often make the list - inner-city origins, previously homeless, master of four-letter words.

 

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Summer is a time ripe for traveling, exploring, and enjoying. As a musician, you have many opportunities to garner inspiration from the plethora of music festivals happening across the country – and Europe.  If you are staying within the U.S. this summer, you may want to attend the performance of one of these six amazing musicians.

 

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If you're a regular StringOvation reader, you already know a bit about German violist Tabea Zimmermann. In our recent post, 5 Habits of Celebrity Violists, Zimmermann shared some of her tips for getting rid of those pesky stage jitters.

 

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Like many artists (cellist Yo Yo Ma, bassist Giovanni Bottessini, violinist Janine Jansen) bassist Charnett Moffett was born into a musical family. His father, Charles Moffett, played drums for Ornette Coleman - a jazz legend. In fact, Charnett's name is a hybridized version of both his father's and Ornette's.

 

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Rinat Ibragimov is a celebrated double bass player, whose career took him from his native Russia, to London - where he served as the London Symphony's principal bass player for many years.

 

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Sirena Huang is a rather young professional violinist. Even so, the New Jersey-born, Connecticut-raised musician has already racked up quite the impressive list of competition wins and solo performances. In 2011, while just 17 years old, Huang was appointed as the Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s first Artist-in-Residence. If you’re not yet familiar with this soon-to-be star described by the Baltimore Sun as having “impeccable technique…deeply expressive phrasing…and poetic weight," now’s your chance. 

 

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Giovanni Bottesini is often called "The Paganini of the Double Bass." A composer and conductor, he was one of the earliest virtuoso bassists. Alas, like his instrument, this Romantic-era, Italian composer and musician can often be overlooked in favor of various violinists.

 

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