Ian started his musical training while sitting in a stroller at the Montclair State University Music Preparatory Center for the Arts program in 1994. Every Saturday he would accompany his bother and sister to their weekly piano, violin, jazz and orchestra lessons. In 1998 he started the Suzuki violin program at the age of four.
Even at this early age his love for the violin was apparent. Ian was so eager to play with an orchestra and his older siblings, but the youth orchestra had an age requirement of 7years old! This forced Ian to wait until he was a bit older but mean time this small issue did not delay his readiness to learn or put his talent to use. Ian joined his brother and sister’s jazz ensemble at 4 years old.
The group conducted by Janet Lemansky Founder and Director of Jazz Connections was a bit more flexable with the age requirements. Along with his brother and sister he got the chance to play with John Blake Jr., premier jazz violinist in the world at Trumpet’s Jazz Club in Montclair, N.J., and attend his masterclasses.
At age six he switched to traditional violin classes studying with Martha Fuller. The next year he began studying with Oscar Ravina principal violinist of The New York Philharmonic. In March 2008 he began his study with Mialtin Zhezha, a student of Pinchas Zukerman, renown world violinist for nearly four decades. Zhezha is pursuing a Master of Music degree at Manhattan School of Music in NYC.
Ian’s first orchestra experience was with the Jazz Orchestra at Montclair State University at age five. Followed by the Youth Orchestra the following year and then Ian continued to mature as a violin player in the Advanced Orchestra. He also played with the Youth Orchestra of Essex County in South Orange N.J. from 2003 to 2005 making Concertmaster his last year.
In the summer of 2006 he attended The Garden State Music Festival at the College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown N.J. In 2006 until present Ian plays with The Northern New Jersey Youth Orchestra in Madison, N.J. conducted by Todd A. Van Beveren, artistic director and founder of the NNJYO. In 2007, at the age of thirteen, Ian won a scholarship to play with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s Greater Newark Youth Orchestras. This year Ian made Concertmaster playing with The Northern N.J. Youth Orchestra In Madison, N.J.
Besides his passion for playing the violin, he plays soccer and is a blossoming fine artist.
Even at this early age his love for the violin was apparent. Ian was so eager to play with an orchestra and his older siblings, but the youth orchestra had an age requirement of 7years old! This forced Ian to wait until he was a bit older but mean time this small issue did not delay his readiness to learn or put his talent to use. Ian joined his brother and sister’s jazz ensemble at 4 years old.
The group conducted by Janet Lemansky Founder and Director of Jazz Connections was a bit more flexable with the age requirements. Along with his brother and sister he got the chance to play with John Blake Jr., premier jazz violinist in the world at Trumpet’s Jazz Club in Montclair, N.J., and attend his masterclasses.
At age six he switched to traditional violin classes studying with Martha Fuller. The next year he began studying with Oscar Ravina principal violinist of The New York Philharmonic. In March 2008 he began his study with Mialtin Zhezha, a student of Pinchas Zukerman, renown world violinist for nearly four decades. Zhezha is pursuing a Master of Music degree at Manhattan School of Music in NYC.
Ian’s first orchestra experience was with the Jazz Orchestra at Montclair State University at age five. Followed by the Youth Orchestra the following year and then Ian continued to mature as a violin player in the Advanced Orchestra. He also played with the Youth Orchestra of Essex County in South Orange N.J. from 2003 to 2005 making Concertmaster his last year.
In the summer of 2006 he attended The Garden State Music Festival at the College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown N.J. In 2006 until present Ian plays with The Northern New Jersey Youth Orchestra in Madison, N.J. conducted by Todd A. Van Beveren, artistic director and founder of the NNJYO. In 2007, at the age of thirteen, Ian won a scholarship to play with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s Greater Newark Youth Orchestras. This year Ian made Concertmaster playing with The Northern N.J. Youth Orchestra In Madison, N.J.
Besides his passion for playing the violin, he plays soccer and is a blossoming fine artist.
