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Stuart Ross Carlson (b. 1996) has had the distinct privilege to learn from some of the finest teachers/artists in the world including: (violinists) Rodney Friend, Yuzuko Horigome, Simon James, Siyeon Ryu, Joel Smirnoff, Aaron Berofsky, Joan Kwuon, and Danielle Belen; (composers) Jacob Garchik, Evan Chambers, Paul Schoenfield, Michael Daugherty, and Bright Sheng; and (violist) Caroline Coade. Stuart holds two Undergraduate Degrees (violin performance, composition) and two Graduate Degrees (viola performance Master’s degree, viola performance Specialist Degree) from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Stuart is a published arranger/composer – Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” for solo violin, “Amazing Grace” for violin and piano, “Carols of Christmas” for string quartet and “Carols of Christmas” for string orchestra. He has also been fortunate to win numerous competitions – including the 2016 VSA International Young Soloists Competition and the 2017 University of Michigan School of Music Concerto Competition.

Stuart is a member of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and regularly performs with the Michigan Philharmonic where he was a featured concert soloist in 2020 and will be again in January of 2025. He has also enjoyed performing across the US, UK, and Europe as a soloist and ensemble member (including the prestigious Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz, CA). Another of his many highlights includes being chosen as the John F. Kennedy Center representative for the 2013 Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, DC where he performed for an audience that included Yo-Yo Ma, Matt Sorum, Cristina Pato, and many US Senators and Members of Congress.

Stuart is proud to play violins made by Enrico Melegari (1860), the Voller Brothers (1887) and Feng Jiang (2013) along with violas by Grubaugh & Seifert.  He is also proud to use instrument cases made by Musafia Cremona Italy.  Stuart is a licensed ham radio operator (W8SRC) and deejays a weekly internet radio show (Z103.com) called “My 2k” featuring music from the 2000s on Tuesdays from 9am-12noon.  You can listen to Stuart’s recordings on all major (and some minor) streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, iTunes, etc.) and/or you can purchase them on this website!

Recorded at Solid Sound Recording Studio in Ann Arbor, MI specifically for the KTWU PBS 4-part television series titled, “Portrait of a Landscape:  SEASONS.  The series aired nationally in 2024 on most PBS stations.  This video includes footage from the series (used by permission) and features musicians Stuart Carlson (violin), Grant Flick (banjo), Zoie Hightower (violin), Brad Phillips (guitar), Mike Shimmin (drums), and Jacob Warren (bass).

Successful Solo Performances!

Stuart was the featured soloist for the Michigan Philharmonic once again AND a featured soloist at The New World Symphony in Miami, FL! In Michigan, Stuart delighted audiences twice as he performed his original “Concerto in D Major for Viola and Chamber Orchestra” and his encore arrangement of “Smile” for two packed houses. First at The Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, MI) in the Diego Rivera Room and, second, at The Inn at St. Johns in Plymouth, MI. Both performances were wildly successful! In Miami, FL, Stuart performed 2 of his compositions and 1 of his arrangements with world premieres of new orchestration for “Fiddle Suite in A Major”, “Currents”, and “Amazing Grace” backed by the amazing Fellows of the New World Symphony. Both Michigan and Florida audiences showed their great appreciation with extended standing ovations!

Music For Purchase & Streaming

PORTRAIT OF A LANDSCAPE: SEASONS
Commissioned by the PBS television station KTWU in Topeka, Kansas, Stuart set out to arrange and compose several original works. This music is featured in a 4-part series titled “Portrait of a Landscape: SEASONS” and aired nationally in 2024 on most PBS stations.  The album contains original bluegrass and classical compositions and arrangements and features musicians Stuart Carlson, Zoie Hightower, Brad Phillips, Mike Shimmin, and Jacob Warren.  Check out the amazing reviews on this website!!

CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS
Stuart and fellow musicians Brian Allen (violin), Caroline Coade (viola), and Dana Rath (cello) recorded 8 Christmas Carols for string quartet that includes an original composition “Christmas Morning” and several other popular carols. Happily for musicians, the sheet music for these carols can be purchased in the store on this website!  Reviews can be read for free!

ADDITIONAL RECORDINGS
“(Electric) Currents” is the newest instrumental composition from Stuart!  It’s a fun, virtuosic tune that blends rock, bluegrass, and Irish music into a delightful rocker! It features several incredibly talented musicians including: Isaac Alderson (tin whistle), Mark Pierce (electric bass), Brad Philips (guitars), Mike Shimmin (drums), Jacob Warren (acoustic bass), Bubba Wilson (mandolin), and – of course – Stuart on violin! Stuart is very grateful to each of these amazing musicians for their virtuosic work and to Solid Sound Recording studio owner/engineer Eric Wojahn.

ALSO… Stuart’s original arrangement of “The Last Rose of Summer” complete with Irish instrumentation (and the same amazing musicians with Isaac Alderson on Irish flute) and new lyrics. Both of these songs are available for purchase/download from this website and on your favorite streaming service!