Who Is Stuart?
Stuart Ross Carlson is a native of Dexter, Michigan and has established himself as a gifted musician/performer and sought-after composer/arranger. He has received numerous accolades as a violinist and is proud to be a member of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and regular performer (and soloist) with the Michigan Philharmonic. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by ensembles across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Stuart’s most recent commissions include providing multiple original songs and arrangements for KTWU PBS in Topeka, Kansas. His music is now featured in the 4-part television series “Portrait of a Landscape: SEASONS” which aired nationally in 2024 on most PBS stations.
Additional recordings/projects include an album of his string quartet arrangements titled “Carols for Christmas” and streaming favorites “(Electric) Currents” and “The Last Rose of Summer.”
Stuart is a graduate (BMA 2019 violin, BMA 2019 composition, MM 2021 viola, and SM 2022 viola) of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Stuart is truly indebted to all of his teachers (especially Rodney Friend, Evan Chambers, and Caroline Coade) for their instruction and personal guidance that has made a career in music possible.
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 most minor) streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, iTunes, etc.) and/or you can purchase them on his website here!
Some Thoughts From Stuart
On March 8, 1996, I was born prematurely at the University of Michigan Hospital, weighing one pound and 13 ounces. I am a surviving twin. After emergency surgery, I spent 100 days in the hospital incubator with recorded music playing Beethoven, Mozart, and The Beatles (more to follow on this later).
In late 1999, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Autism gives me a variety of strengths and weaknesses not typical in the average human being. I face challenges such as a soft speaking voice, long processing time when asked a question, and problems with conversational participation. I’ve also had many physical therapies throughout my life and have several other health issues.
I’ve had many ‘passions’ about things such as doors, watches, voice recorders, radio jingles, weather stations, and ham radio, but I’ve always loved music. I vaguely remember a recognizable Mozart piece playing in my incubator as an infant. This was only the beginning to my amazing and musical journey through life. Since that time, I really love the music of performers like Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, AC/DC, Green Day, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and many others – so much that I want to be a professional musician. As a violinist, violist, arranger, and composer, my main goal is to make beautiful music wherever this wonderful musical journey of life takes me.
I also hope that I can be a role model and inspiration to young people diagnosed with autism. With that in mind, I was extremely grateful to be one of five young people selected by the 2016 VSA International Young Soloists Competition to perform at the Kennedy Center that May. My performance was dedicated to the accomplishments of people with autism everywhere. I am also very honored to have been chosen as the winner of the 2017 University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance Concerto Competition.
I have loved being a student at the University of Michigan and I want to say ‘thank you’ to all the wonderful people who have helped me along my journey through life: my paraprofessionals and teachers in the Dexter, MI school system – especially Sue Stalker; my doctors and therapists; the U-M administration and staff (including Chef Martin); my first music teachers Mike Brownell, Gabriel Villasurda, and David Biedenbender; and my professors at U-M, especially Caroline Coade, Evan Chambers, Tony Elliott, Michael Daugherty, and Brad Phillips. A special heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Jeff Holmes for all his kindness and expertise over the years, and to Stephen Shipps and Rodney Friend, who both mentored and supported me, and gave me the necessary skills to start on my musical journey.
Thank you for visiting my website! I hope that you enjoy my performances and my music!
