Violin Concert

Description

Phil Davidson, violin

Phil Davidson began playing violin at the age of 6, and followed the usual path from Suzuki lessons to youth orchestra to chamber music, despite listening primarily to rock n roll. He majored in music at Drake University where he was concertmaster of the university symphony as well as a member of the Des Moines Symphony and Des Moines Metro Opera orchestra. It was during his time in college that he first sought to apply his skills outside the classical realm, performing and recording with a local singer-songwriter and a new age composer, and even learning a bit of Hindustani music during a study abroad semester in India. Since moving to Austin in 2002, Phil's performance life has encompassed styles from classical to bluegrass to heavy metal to world music, all while teaching a full studio of violin and fiddle students. Currently Phil performs regularly throughout the US and Canada with The Invincible Czars, and around Austin with Flamenco Symphony, Muppletone, The Old Holdouts, and Quartet for the End of Times.

Graham Yates, piano

Graham Yates entertains audiences from the west coast to the third coast. Hailing from British Columbia, Canada, Graham hit the ground running in Texas in 2014. He performs for operas, choirs, churches, and – most importantly – house concerts that he hosts in West Lake and Wells Branch.

As a collaborative pianist, Graham gives concerts alongside his esteemed colleagues who are vocalists, string players or other instrumentalists. Their performances range from profoundly moving (such as Arvo Pärt's Spiegel im Spiegel) to worthy of a stand-up comedy routine (his own Spam Songs). He can weave together a program that is traditional or contemporary and always entertaining, as in the words of one attendee: his concerts are “a truly magical experience that stay with you long after the concert is over."

Graham Yates holds a BA in piano performance from Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia, and a Master of Music with an emphasis in piano accompaniment from Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada. He owns North Austin Piano Studio and teaches upwards of 30 students per week, ranging from age 4 to senior citizen. He is highly in demand as a pianist for professionals and students alike. He has judged regional and provincial competitions in his native British Columbia, and has recently booked tours in South Texas and Louisiana.