Aubrey Holmes

Biography

“...a warm sound, and much joy...vivacious!” - The Strad [Carnegie Hall debut]

Aubrey Holmes is a concert violinist/violist and chamber musician currently living and teaching in Boise, Idaho.

During the 2022/2023 season, Mr. Holmes was a full time, core member of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s violin section - rotated into assistant concertmaster. He is also a founding member and violinist of the Heimat Quartet (2014–2020), which gave their Carnegie Hall debut in 2019. In the fall of the same year, Heimat joined the faculty at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA, giving their final recital as an ensemble in February 2020 before disbanding after six years together.

From 2011–2015, Mr. Holmes was based in Boston, Massachusetts. Here he played in Symphony Nova (Concertmaster/Principal 2nd), MetroWest Opera (Principal 2nd), Symphony Pro Musica (Principal 2nd), Boston Opera Collaborative (Associate Concertmaster), The Cape Ann Symphony (Associate Principal 2nd), Boston Modern Orchestra Project, The Vermont Symphony Orchestra, and The Cape Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Holmes is also the former first violinist of the Videri String Quartet which specializes in the performance and recording of video game music.

Other notable appearances and engagements with Heimat include faculty positions at Interlochen Center for the Arts High School Division – Advanced String Quartet Seminar, as well as quarter-finalists at the 2017 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. The Quartet also competed internationally at the 2019 Joachim International Chamber Music Competition held in Weimar, Germany where they also finished as quarter-finalists. Other international appearances include the International Mendelssohn Festival in Hamburg, Germany, The Esmeraldas International Music Festival held in Quito, Ecuador, and the Lunenberg Academy of Music (LAMP) in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia.

His primary mentors have included Dr. Blanka Bednarz, Dr. Irina Muresanu, Cathy Meng Robinson, and Daniel Kurganov, as well as members of the Miami String Quartet, Shanghai Quartet, and the Audubon Quartet.

Degrees Earned: BA violin performance, MM violin performance, MM chamber music (violin/Heimat Quartet), AD chamber music (violin/Heimat Quartet).

Education & Mentorship

Teaching Studio

Location

Currently located and teaching primarily in Boise, Idaho. I also offer online lessons for those located outside of Boise and/or need the flexibility of online/in-person options.

Experience

My teaching experience ranges from beginners of all ages (including adult amateurs) through to the collegiate level and with working professionals.

Rates

$45.00 (30 minute lessons)

$80.00 (1 hour lessons)

Fundamentals. Routine. Sound.

The central tenet of my teaching philosophy and pedagogy is in helping my students to achieve a fundamental command of the instrument as well as producing a beautiful sound.

My approach begins with applying two general principles: Firstly, understanding the need for this fundamental command, and utilizing select exercises, etudes, scales, and appropriate repertoire to help achieve this. Second, introducing problem solving methods and solution seeking ways of thinking because ultimately, I believe our job as educators and mentors is in teaching someone how to teach themselves (this applies to amateur musicians of all ages as well).

Lastly, I believe in instilling a good and healthy work ethic through routine: Helping to create structure and routine not just in lessons but with practice at home is vital to the progress and overall success of a student. The routine and process of practicing is key to not only progressing, but in building and maintaining a structure that will serve the student/artist well throughout their career.

The Art of Violin

The Art of Violin was released in 2000/2001 on PBS. This documentary explores the evolution and artistry of violin playing in the 20th century—arguably the greatest period in violin playing history. It was a transformative experience for me at the age of 12, and I’ve decided to include a link to the documentary here. If anything, it’s a wonderful “crash-course” in understanding the performative and pedagogical legacy and history of the violin, as well as insight into my methods, style, and beliefs in art and music.

Media

Although we’re living in an ever-changing and more digitally-reliant world, it’s my belief that music and art are best experienced in a “live” setting. This is a vital part of our connection as performers and community members - offering the greatest collective impact on our experience of these incredible art forms. Because of this, below I’ve included just a few examples of my playing with video omitted. For live events, please visit my “Performance” page.