Benjamin Tomkins began playing the violin when he was 11 years old. At 13, he was accepted into the studio of Monte Belknap, with whom he remained for 8 years. During that time, he soloed on numerous occasions with orchestras, including the Monument Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony, and the Western Illinois Symphony. At the age of 18 he became the second youngest member ever to win positions with the Illinois Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, directed by Kenneth Kiesler, and performed as concertmaster of the Jacksonville Symphony in Illinois. In 2002 he was accepted to the Masters program at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with Stephen Rose. As a chamber musician, he has performed with the Hyperion String Quartet, and played in masterclasses and coachings with members of the Cleveland, Penderecki, Arditti, Tokyo, Miro, and Miami quartets. In 2005 he won a full-time position with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.
Benjamin has been an active teacher for the last ten years of his life. In 2001, he served as Adjunct Professor of Violin at Illinois College in Jacksonville.. He and his wife, Robyn, taught at Creative Spark in Charleston, and under their guidance the program expanded dramatically. Together they started the Charleston Educators recital series, a monthly recital program featuring students from teachers throughout Charleston. Their teaching styles incorporate the Suzuki method as well as traditional techniques.
Benjamin is also an accomplished composer, and has had his music performed in recitals all over the country. Last February, his Piano Trio was premiered by the Strada Trio in Zipper Hall at the Colburn School, and he was recently commissioned by the Ozark Festival Orchestra to write a concerto for violin and strings to be performed in February '08. He currently lives in Denver with his wife Robyn, and his cat, Molly.
Please visit www.tomkinsmusic.com for more information.
Benjamin Tomkins
benivarius@hotmail.com
216-287-9897
2901 S Elm St
Denver, CO 80222
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