Hi, I’m Evan! I am an actor and multi-instrumentalist based in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to offering private coaching I have facilitated writers workshops in schools with Philadelphia Young Playwrights for over 6 years and spent 2 years with the School District of Philadelphia. The teaching philosophy that I have used in multiple disciplines has always been making lessons fun in order to spark curiosity!

I have played with numerous jukebox musicals across the country as an actor-musician. Highlights include playing with Gracie and the So-Beautifuls, a small dream-pop unit that was featured as the onstage band of The Wilma’s very punk-rock adaptation of Romeo & Juliet as well as playing the many incarnations of Lucifer in the sold-out world premier of Douglass Waterbury Tieman’s “Johnny & the Devil’s Box” a musical adaptation of “The Devil went Down to Georgia.”

When did you begin playing violin, and why?

I began playing violin in 3rd grade! I had begun playing piano a few years before and was hungry to sink my teeth into a new instrument, so when I received my own violin I immediately began to practice with a new level of enthusiasm. I marveled at the fact that I could walk around my front yard and play hot cross buns outside- much to the pleasure (or disdain) of my neighbors! 

What other instruments do you play, and what is your experience with them?

I began piano when I was about 6 years old and continued to study privately for about 10 years, mostly playing through the Johns Hopkins workbooks and building a musical foundation that has allowed me to be a proficient sightreader.

I have studied classical violin privately for about 8 years. When I was about 12, I began attending sessions at the Commodore Barry Irish Center which was where I first developed an interest in fiddle music. 

Throughout my 10+ year career as an actor, my musical background has led to many opportunities professionally that have given me the chance to travel and learn new genres and new instruments along the way. About 2 years ago I began studying old-time and bluegrass musical traditions, picking up mandolin, banjo, guitar, and upright bass in the process and reaching performance proficiency on all 4 instruments.

What are your personal goals as a musician?

I aspire to continue honing my skills to be one of the most versatile studio violinists in Philadelphia. I want to continue to seek out live performance opportunities so that I can continue to play with world-class musicians. I want to listen to great instrumentalists in every genre as much as I can. Currently I am studying jazz violin and improvisation!

Do you have a memory of a time when a musical concept or technique really clicked?  Something you’ll remember forever?

My love of music really blossomed when I realized that practice is a time when you are allowed to play as many “wrong” notes as you want. Practicing is your time to work on whatever you, THE ARTIST, decide you want to work on. You can fine tune your repertoire or set a time and improvise for 30 minutes nonstop. As long as you made sounds with your instrument you were successful!

What is your favorite piece of advice from one of your past (or current) teachers?

Practicing scales and arpeggios are the fastest route to proficiency in any instrument.

What was your most challenging moment learning an instrument?

When I was young, my first teacher criticized my bowing technique and encouraged me to buy what were effectively “braces” for my violin so I was only able to use my bow in the very center of the playable area. I really disliked being restricted in my range of motion and quickly worked to graduate from my dark days of using a “bowright.” (as it is commonly known)

What is your biggest musical achievement?

I am currently on a 4-month contract playing fiddle in “The Medora Musical,” a massive broadway-scale production with live horses and pyrotechnics in a 3,000 seat amphitheater!

Favorite thing about teaching?

I am a child at heart so I love to engage people with the fun of playing! I like to jam along with students and show how practice can be a liberating experience.

What is a piece of advice you would like to share with anyone learning music?

I’ve found that having musical role models is one of the best ways to progress and develop your own unique voice as a musician. I like to study specific artists for a set period of time and try to transcribe their solos as a personal practice.

Personal music projects:

My wife and I play together unofficially as “Emily and Evan.” We are currently working on an eco-musical that we can tour to parks and other outdoor venues! Still working on a band name. Her EP “Full Fathom Five” is on Bandcamp and I support on the violin. You also can find recordings on my website and instagram