Christopher Robinson: violinist
From Louisville, Kentucky, Christopher Robinson is a violinist, educator and Founder/Co-Artistic Director of VIA Academy, a free music program for pre-college youth from remote and underrepresented communities in classical music. Recognized as a 2021 Knight Arts Champion by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Christopher is a forward thinking innovator in classical music with 10 years of experience as an educator and entrepreneur. As a firm believer in creating inclusive music education models, he has been recognized nationally for community impact in the arts through unique experience designing and implementing programs that create immediate impact. With years of professional experience in globally recognized music programs, he is a known arts leader in the music education profession.
As a violinist, Christopher is a recent alumnus of the New World Symphony where he regularly served as principal and concertmaster. He currently performs in the second violin section of the Louisville Orchestra. Also, Christopher has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony and the Jacksonville Symphony as well as chamber music collaborations with members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Christopher is a passionate educator and mentor for young musicians all across the US. In 2020, he founded VIA Academy, which since its founding has already reached more than 250 students from 37 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, Chile, and Serbia. Christopher has also been a frequent faculty member in programs at Carnegie Hall’s NYO/NYO2 Summer Programs, Miami Music Project, Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando Program, Atlanta Symphony’s Talent Development Program, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's Pre-College Department, and the Iberacademy in Medellín, Colombia.
Christopher began studying the violin at age 10 and later continued violin studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with Kurt Sassmannshaus, earning his bachelor of music degree in 2015. He earned his master of music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music studying under Joan Kwuon.
As an outdoorsman and Eagle Scout, Mr. Robinson enjoys cycling, backpacking, hiking, kayaking and canoeing. During the summer of 2015, he joined his family on a 221-mile backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Mr. Robinson most recently summited Mt. Fuji in Japan and hopes to continue exploring the vast landscapes our world has to offer.