Erin Gallagher, Violin and Viola

Erin Gallagher is a professional violist, violinist and teacher based in Aspen, with students throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. She received her Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with Honors in 2013 from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She studied with Dr. Roland Vamos at Northwestern and was a dedicated member of the Contemporary and Baroque ensembles at Northwestern, as well as the symphony orchestra and many, varied, fulfilling chamber ensembles. She studied with Richard Marshall of the Minnesota Orchestra in high school, after switching to the viola from the violin at age 15. She has performed in masterclasses for violists Paul Neubauer (New York Philharmonic), George Taylor (Eastman School of Music), Thomas Turner (Minnesota Orchestra), as well as the Pacifica and Parker String Quartets. 

While an undergraduate, Ms. Gallagher studied contemporary and Baroque viola at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Her musical studies abroad in 2010 included instruction with Sven Arne Tepl on viola, Lucie van Dael on Baroque viola, private instruction on harpsichord and performances with chamber and Baroque ensembles throughout Amsterdam and The Netherlands. She has performed chamber music tours in Paris and Nice, France, through the Walnut Hill School, Boston, MA. She has studied early performance practice with the Newberry Consort in Chicago, IL and Early Music Vancouver in Vancouver, B.C. She’s also played solo viola in bars in Southern Australia and toured with a local, 5-piece band in Edinburgh and Islay, Scotland. 

Ms. Gallagher moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2014 and quickly began performing with ensembles in the valley, ranging from fine chamber music to casual jams with friends. She can be found, among other activities, teaching viola, violin and piano privately in the Valley, mentoring students with the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra, playing string quartets in concert, working on developing a jazz style on the viola, and performing and recording with several different bands. 

Ms. Gallagher first began teaching the violin about twelve years ago, near Minneapolis, MN. She continued to teach while studying at Northwestern, and now hopes to share with her students the joy of making music with others in the Roaring Fork Valley.