| Brandon Vance of Anacortes, WA is as comfortable with jazz improvisation as he is in his Classical violin repertoire. He is also a two-time Open - U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion (1999 & 2001). At age 14 he is the youngest to ever hold the National title. He was honored by the 56th Washington State legislature with a House resolution for "Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Music." Brandon has played with numerous Celtic/Jazz bands and individual performers such as: Alasdair Fraser, Johnny Cunningham, Carl Peterson, Men of Worth, Blackthorn, Clumsy Lovers, Off Kilter, Maggie's Fury, Frankly Moanin’ and his own band … Talisker. He was a guest soloist for the 2001 Los Angeles Scottish Fiddle Orchestra’s 20th Anniversary concert, the 2002 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s 5th Anniversary, and has performed the "Celtic Mass for the Sea" with the Orcas Island Choral Society/Chamber Orchestra. He has soloed with the Musicians Emeritus Symphony Orchestra of Seattle playing Bruch's "Scottish Fantasy" and performed Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor with the Skagit Symphony Orchestra. He is a "Starling Scholar" graduate of the Seattle Conservatory of Music and has performed numerous times on Classic KING FM, both solo and with various chamber ensembles. Brandon was a member of the "Rosamundi" String Quartet, performing in Benaroya Hall for the Seattle Chamber Music Festival. He has also served as Concertmaster of the "Young Virtuosi" Chamber Orchestra as well as Co-Concertmaster for the Seattle Youth Symphony. Over the last few years, Brandon has received top honors in MTNA and ASTA State Competitions, 2nd place in WMEA State Solo/Ensemble Competition, 2nd place in Whatcom Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Concerto Competition and was a Finalist in the Seattle Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. He has attended the Aspen Music Festival and School studing under Naoko Tanaka as a Starling Scholar, performing in the "Starling Recital Series." He was also an original member of the NW MacGregor Pipe Band and, while no longer active, he still keeps up his piping. In May of 2004 Brandon released his first CD with Mark Minkler ... Beyond the Borders. This is a compilation of original Celtic style tunes written by both Brandon and Mark, along with traditional Scottish and Irish tunes. Brandon currently attends Cleveland Institute of Music’s B.M. program in Violin Performance and studies under Mr. Paul Kantor.
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