Violinist - Composer - Educator

Shelby Trevor is a violinist, composer, and educator with a diverse and active career spanning classical, folk, experimental, and improvisation-driven music. A native of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, he began studying violin at age six at the Concord Community Music School, developing a strong foundation in classical, folk, and chamber music. In addition to his classical training, Shelby has studied traditional fiddle and folk music at programs including the Swannanoa Gathering and the New Hampshire Scottish School of the Arts, and has received prizes in regional fiddle competitions.

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He continued his training at the Longy School of Music, earning an Undergraduate Diploma in Violin Performance and pursuing graduate studies in performance. Shelby has studied with master teachers including Laura Bossert, Charles Castleman, and Eric Rosenblith.

 

Shelby has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician in a wide range of settings, including performances with the Suzuki School of Newton Faculty Orchestra, Advice to the Players Concert Series, Embry-Riddle University Concert Series, and contemporary series such as Composers in Red Sneakers, the When Notes Fly series, and the Spiral Songs concert series. In his youth, he was featured as a soloist with the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra and performed a private recital for the President of the National Endowment for the Arts.

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As an orchestral and collaborative artist, he has performed with ensembles including First Coast Opera, Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra, Longy Chamber Orchestra, WGBH Studio Orchestra, and others. He has also appeared in a wide range of chamber and interdisciplinary settings, including performances with Subtropical String Trio and various new music and cross-genre collaborations. Festival appearances include the Heifetz International Music Institute, Quartet Program, LyricaFest, and InterHarmony International Music Festival.

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Shelby is the founder and artistic director of the Amelia Island Community String Orchestra (2015–2020), where he led performances as concertmaster while fostering a community-centered approach to ensemble playing. He has also served as concertmaster for ensembles including the Great Woods Chamber Orchestra and the Amelia Island Chamber Singers Orchestra.

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As a composer, Shelby has written works for solo violin, chamber ensembles, orchestra, and interdisciplinary projects, alongside arrangements and original music rooted in folk traditions. His recent work includes a professional studio recording of J.S. Bach’s Partita No. 3 in E Major for solo violin, available on Bandcamp with additional streaming releases forthcoming.

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His creative projects include RamaLisa, a violin and hurdy-gurdy duo with Noelle Beaudin that blends early music influences, folk, classical, metal, and neo-classical into a narrative-driven, genre-crossing sound world. He is also a collaborator with Daniel Padgett in East Mill Outcry, an evolving project exploring improvisation, composition, classical performance, and experimental sound.

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As an educator, Shelby has maintained a private studio since 2009 and has held faculty positions at the Suzuki School of Newton and Wheaton College. His work in arts education includes program development and teaching with organizations such as the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival (in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Nassau County) and Arts Alive Nassau. His teaching integrates principles of the Alexander Technique and emphasizes strong technical foundations, awareness, and expressive playing. He works with students of all ages and levels and is committed to fostering both technical growth and artistic individuality.

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Shelby holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lesley University (summa cum laude) and a certification from the Sound Healing Academy, reflecting his broader interest in the connections between music, learning, and well-being.