A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Chelsea Whittaker has been teaching violin for over nine years. Her love of violin came to life at the age of three when she started Suzuki violin lessons.
In 2004, she was accepted into North Carolina School of the Arts as a junior in high school. She continued her education in Violin P
A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Chelsea Whittaker has been teaching violin for over nine years. Her love of violin came to life at the age of three when she started Suzuki violin lessons.
In 2004, she was accepted into North Carolina School of the Arts as a junior in high school. She continued her education in Violin Performance at Appalachian State University, where she received numerous scholarships and awards as an undergraduate, Dean’s List honors, and a violin assistantship for her graduate studies.
While at ASU, Ms. Whittaker held a variety of leadership roles in the Hayes School of Music and gained years of experience in highly intensive string quartet work and as Concertmaster, soloist, and guest artist. Her path naturally gravitated towards teaching as she led string quartet and chamber ensemble rehearsals, violin sectionals, and was invited to be a guest clinician for the Appalachian Classical Music Association Honors Orchestra in 2011.
As a freelance artist, Chelsea has performed with the Hendersonville Symphony, Western Piedmont Symphony, Johnson City Symphony, and Symphony of the Mountains. Known for her versatility as a violinist, she is a sought after performer and recording artist in classical and alternative styles.
Ms. Whittaker has performed live and for studio recordings in genres ranging from Classical to Rock, Gypsy Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Punk, Folk, “Indie,” Hip-Hop, and Baroque. An advocate of authentic performance practice, she studies the music and instruments of the medieval, renaissance, and baroque periods and has performed extensively on baroque violin, viola da gamba, and rebec.
Prior to opening her own violin studio, Chelsea taught at the Community Music School of Appalachian State University for two years. In response to the considerable demand she experienced as a teacher, she founded her violin studio and has taught privately, with a full capacity of students, for the past five years.
Ms. Whittaker teaches Suzuki, Traditional Classical, Improvisation, and any alternative genres or styles the student feels inspired by. She believes strongly that ear training combined with a proper foundation for violin technique is at the heart of cultivating a love for the “sound” of the violin. This enables the student to start recognizing and enjoying their tone as a beginner and benefit from this early awareness of and sensitivity towards it as they progress.
Chelsea has been recognized for her unique ability to connect with, motivate, and inspire each and every student and has extensive experience teaching exceptional children and those who learn differently.
Ms. Whittaker plays an antique German violin made by Gabriel David Buchstetter in 1757.