Violin Lessons in Hawaii
Violin Artistry
General Information
Biographies
Kacie Unten, Violin
Born and raised in Honolulu. Graduate from the University of Hawaii
Laboratory High School and Chaminade University with a Bachelor of
Science in Biology.
Began violin at age 6 through the Suzuki Method.
Participated in the Honolulu Youth Symphony from 1998-2002; held the
position of Principal Violin in the Honolulu Youth Symphony II
2001-2002.
Awarded for the best talent from the Miss West Oahu pageant 2009
16 years of playing experience
Registered with the Suzuki Association of America to teach Beginning level Suzuki Method in July 2009
Colin Belisle, Violin & Viola
Mr. Colin Belisle is an emerging violist and active performer across
the United States. He currently lives in Honolulu where he performs
with the Honolulu Symphony, teaches privately at the Iolani School and
Violin Artistry Studio, and is a chamber music coach with the Hawaii
Youth Symphony. In addition to his teaching in Honolulu, Mr. Belisle
has served on the string faculty at The Manchester Community Music
School in New Hampshire, The Brookline Music School in Boston, and The
Lawrence Academy of Music, in Wisconsin. As faculty in Boston and New
Hampshire he taught private lessons, coached chamber ensembles, gave
master classes, helped lead school-wide workshops, and served as
judicator in string department competitions and juries.
Mr. Belisle has performed with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Atlantic
Symphony, New World Symphony, Green Bay Symphony, Portland Symphony,
and Gardner Chamber Orchestra. As a chamber musician he has performed
in such esteemed venues as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall at the Kaufman
Center, Boston’s Jordan Hall, Boston Symphony Hall,
Honolulu’s Blaisdell Hall, New York City’s Symphony Space,
and has collaborated with members of the Cassatt, New Hellenic, Bryant
Park, and Turtle Island string quartets. While in Boston, he was a
founding member of the Boston Public Quartet which, through the support
of a Harvard grant, continues to provide performance and music
educational outreach to urban communities.
He has been an active participant and fellowship recipient at Aspen,
Banff, Bowdoin, National Orchestral Institute, and the critically
acclaimed Sound Encounters festival in Boston, and has also been a
guest artist in new music engagements at The Boston Conservatory, and
artist-in-residence at Denison University and the University of New
England. He has performed in master classes for Roberto Diaz, James
Dunham, Kim Kashkashian, Karen Tuttle, Robert Vernon, Mimi Zweig,
Jeffrey Irvine, and has been coached in chamber music by members of the
Borromeo, Cassatt, Cleveland, Henschel, and Fine Arts string quartets.
A passionate supporter of contemporary music, Mr. Belisle plays in the
critically-acclaimed Mimesis Ensemble in New York City, where he
performs as soloist and chamber musician. He has had the privilege of
performing the world-premiere of Augusta Read-Thomas’ Incantation
for solo viola, as well as premiering works by Michael Gandolfi, Kenji
Bunch, Martin Bresnick, Mohammed Fairouz, Pozzi Escot, Anthony DeRitis,
Halim El-Dabh and Jennifer Higdon. He has recorded works of the
Pulitzer-Prize-winning composer, Yehudi Wyner, on his album De Novo,
which is available on Naxos and Albany labels. He has performed in
recital numerous works of Schnittke, Penderecki, Kurtàg, Ligeti,
Pärt, and Takemitsu. As a recording musician, he has worked with
legendary artists in classical, jazz, and contemporary music, and has
recorded soundtracks to films that have appeared at the Cannes and
Vienna film festivals.
Colin Belisle holds a Master of Music degree and Graduate Diploma from
the New England Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Music degree from
Lawrence University cum laude. His principal teachers include Carol
Rodland, Matthew Michelic, and Simon Rowland-Jones at the Royal College
of Music in London; with additional studies from 2002-2005 with Kim
Kashkashian at NEC. Also a classically trained singer, Colin’s
principal teachers include Joanne Bozeman at Lawrence University, and
Damien Francoeur-Krzyzek of New England Conservatory and The Boston
Lyric Opera.
Colin teaches violin and viola using the traditional method.
Upcoming Concerts