X
X
Back to the top
X

Homepage

Stuart Ross Carlson

Violinist • Violist • Composer • Arranger

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) 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!

Fiddle Suite in A Major - Official Video

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).

JUST ANNOUNCED!

Stuart will be the featured soloist for the Michigan Philharmonic once again!  You’ll have 2 chances to see him perform his original “Concerto in D Major for Viola and Chamber Orchestra” with this wonderful ensemble.  First location/date is at The Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, MI) in the Diego Rivera Room on Friday, January 17 at 7:00pm (no tickets needed but you need to register on the DIA website).  Second performance will be at The Inn at St. Johns in Plymouth, MI on Sunday, January 19 at 2:00pm (you need to purchase tickets for this one on the Michigan Philharmonic website).  Hope to see you there!!

Music For Purchase & Streaming

Seasons Cover - frontPORTRAIT 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 Cover - frontCAROLS 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“(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!

Featured Podcast Episodes

Stuart has been featured on multiple podcasts in the past couple of years.  Get to know him a bit better by listening to him discuss a wide range of topics including music and autism!

Batting the Breeze Podcast Artwork
Let Fear Bounce Square
Pity Party Logo
Set Lusting Bruce Podcast

For “Portrait of a Landscape: Seasons”

Full of such life, the way these tracks radiate a sense of discovery feels majestic. The cinematic quality of the atmosphere wafts over every part of the soundscape. Instrumental richness defines every nook and cranny of the pieces. Evolution goes for the meticulous, ensuring that every detail is in its right place. Lots of the work manages to pull at the heartstrings, for the delivery is elegant. “Portrait of a Landscape: SEASONS” features the exquisite charm of Stuart Ross Carlson for he crafts timeless arrangements... Read Full Review

skopemag.com

Videos

O, Come Emmanuel

O, Come Emmanuel

Fiddle Suite in A Major (Official Video)

Fiddle Suite in A Major (official video)

Amazing Grace (original arrangement)

Amazing Grace (original arrangement)

Upcoming Performances

  • Jan17 Featured Soloist w/ The Michigan Philharmonic Detroit Institute of Arts / Detroit, Michigan
  • Jan19 Featured Soloist w/ The Michigan Philharmonic Inn at St. Johns / Plymouth, Michigan
  • Jan24 Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Hall / Detroit, Michigan
  • Jan25 Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Michigan Theater / Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Feb03 Featured Soloist at The New World Symphony New World Center / Miami, Florida
  • Feb22 Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Michigan Theater / Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Mar09 Michigan Philharmonic First United Methodist Church / Plymouth, Michigan
  • Mar15 Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Michigan Theater / Ann Arbor, Michigan
Enescu's Ballade

Latest News

© copyright 2024 Stuart Ross Carlson. All Rights Reserved.