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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/piano and string orchestra, “Carols of Christmas” for string quartet and “Carols of Christmas” for string orchestra. Highlights of Stuart’s most recent commissions include:

• Creating original songs and arrangements as part of a 4-part television series for KTWU in Topeka, KS entitled “Portrait of a Landscape: SEASONS” which aired nationally in 2024 on most PBS stations.
• An arrangement of Florence Price’s “Adoration” for flute and piano featured on the latest release (“An American Affair”) by Chandos Recording Artist, Lisa Friend.

Stuart is a member of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and regularly performs with the Michigan Philharmonic for which he was a featured concert soloist in 2020 and again in 2025. He has also enjoyed performing in the US, UK, and Europe as a soloist and ensemble member (including the prestigious Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz, CA). Stuart 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. 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).

Music For Purchase & Streaming

Memorable Soloist Performances!

In 2025, Stuart was the featured soloist for both the Michigan Philharmonic (Plymouth, MI) and The New World Symphony (Miami, FL)!  Stuart delighted Michigan audiences twice as he performed his original “Concerto in D Major for Viola and Chamber Orchestra” and his encore arrangement of “Smile” – first at The Detroit Institute of Arts in the Diego Rivera Room and, second, in the beautiful chapel of The Inn at St. Johns in Plymouth. Both performances garnered enthusiastic standing ovations! 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. The Florida audience showed their great appreciation with an extended standing ovation!