Matthew Evans: violinist and teacher

Since I was a young boy, I have been drawn towards music. The sound of the violin captured my imagination, and I could not get enough of the arpeggios, scales, soaring melodies, and vocal-like expression of the instrument. This fascination turned into a passion for music that guided me through my musical education and into becoming a professional musician. By playing the violin, I have the privilege of sharing that love of music and connecting with students and audiences. Music has the power to teach, to inspire, and to heal like no other language.

As a teacher I consider my task two-fold: encouraging a love of music and helping the student gain technical proficiency over the instrument. Just like communicating with a verbal language, music requires fluency in order to communicate. The violin can be a difficult instrument to learn, but well worth the investment. The lessons learned through careful practice and performance carry over into every area of a student’s life. Discipline, control, patience, spontaneity, and expressiveness are all developed through practice and performance.

Performing music is what I enjoy the most. It is emotionally and intellectually challenging for me and provides a bridge whereby I can connect with others. My love of the violin has led me through many great performance experiences. Here are a few that stand out to me.

Chamber Music (small ensemble)
Illuminations Festival String Quartet, NCSA Chamber Music Festival, Jump Little Children String Quartet, and other ensembles composed of me and my friends (my favorite kind of music making)

Orchestral (large ensemble)
University of North Carolina School of the Arts Orchestra
Winston Salem Symphony, Carolina Chamber Symphony, Western Piedmont Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, Durham Symphony, Illuminations Festival Orchestra, Long Bay Symphony,

Education:
Bachelors in Music – University of North Carolina School of the Arts
High School Diploma – University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Principal violin teacher, Kevin Lawrence

Teaching Experience
Village Music School, Cary NC
ArtStage: Music Division, Cary NC
Community Music School, Winston-Salem NC
Separk Music, Winston-Salem NC