About Brian Anderson

I strive to teach violin and viola in a thorough and thoughtful manner catered to each student, building up a deep understanding of concepts such as sound production, the grammar of musical phrases, and efficient, goal-oriented practicing.  My advanced students frequently earn high marks at NYSSMA festivals, and I also take pride in having a high retention rate among my beginning students, helping them find joy in playing and learning music.  I started on viola in my public school in Virginia when I was 9, quickly growing as a musician with the help of my private teachers.  Now, as a first-year Doctoral student in viola at Stony Brook University, studying under the direction of Matthew Lipman and Lawrence Dutton, with additional studies in the Emerson String Quartet Institute, I am working towards a career of teaching viola at the college level and performing chamber music at every opportunity.

My current performance activities include concerts with the Stony Brook Contemporary Chamber Players, frequent appearances for the Music at the MART program at the Stony Brook Cancer Center, and freelance gigs throughout Long Island.  I am lucky to have held fellowships at the Manchester Music Festival, Madeline Island Chamber Music, Garth Newel Music Center, and the Renova Music Festival, performing with artists such as Eugene Drucker and Andres Diaz, and I have also gotten the chance to play in masterclasses with world-renowned teachers including Kim Kashkashian, Ettora Causa and Misha Amory.  Previously, I earned a Master’s degree in viola from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor’s degree in viola from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where I studied with Choong-jin Chang and Victoria Chiang.  In my spare time, I enjoy playing soccer, competitive Scrabble, and playing in a jazz combo.