Alexander Grimes
Lesson Feesfrom $40.00 / 30 Minutes
Promotions Available
About
Alexander Grimes is the newly tenured Principal Viola of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra in Seattle, Washington. After graduating from Vanderbilt University under the instruction of Kathryn Plummer, he went on to New England Conservatory where he studied under internationally acclaimed violist Dmitri Murrath. Before moving to Seattle, Alex was a regular substitute with the Nashville Symphony and enjoyed a freelance career recording film and television soundtracks, as well as touring with several bands including the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Cage the Elephant.
Some of his recent accomplishments include performing as a recitalist at the Accademia Perosi in Biella, Italy, serving as a judge at the University of Washington Concerto Competition, and giving an orchestral excerpt masterclass to students at the University of Pugent Sound.
I believe it is necessary for new players to be set up correctly by a teacher in person using a hands-on approach. This is why I prefer to take students who have been playing violin or viola for at least a year, or already have a technical foundation on the instrument.
Expect a professional level of development that I have developed from my years as a student in the "Classical Music Bubble". I do not use the Suzuki Method as I prefer the more traditional Western conservatory style of Ivan Galamian or Dorothy DeLay. My students will play etudes, scales, and the classic repertoire to develop technical and musical mastery. I strongly believe that musicianship is developed away from the instrument, so students can also expect to be assigned listening and singing homework!
For more advanced students, I love teaching orchestral excerpts and audition preparation. As a Principal Viola, I have been on both sides of the screen and will help the student achieve their orchestral career goals.
Music is my biggest passion! Expect me to be very animated and passionate when expressing musical ideas!
Member — International Guild of Symphony, Opera and Ballet Musicians