Links
Alisa Garin Photography
Alisa is a first class photographer who is a violist and understands how to photograph musicians. She's a joyful person and great artist behind the lens. She took great photos of the Díaz Trio.
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Music
"I have held the Dorothy Richard Starling and Alexander Speyer, Jr. Endowed Chair as Distinguished Professor of Violin at Carnegie Mellon University for over 20 years."
Eliezer Barros Photography
"Eliezer Barros is a wonderful photographer! I am very pleased with his artistry in photography."
Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
Honored to be on the jury again in 2020. Elmar Oliveira is a legend and visionary.
James McKean, Violinmaker
"A fabulous string instrument maker and luthier. I own one of his violins and several students and colleagues use his instruments as their primary tools of the trade."
Josef Gingold International Chamber Music Festival of Miami
Chamber Music Festival I co-founded to promote the art, discipline and craft of chamber music and string playing with an emphasis on the ideologies of my mentor and teacher, Josef Gingold.
Ovation Press
"A contemporary resource center for the 21st century classical musician. Ovation's library contains many of my edited violin excerpts and solo passages from the orchestral repertoire. An important component in the audition process."
Philip Injeian, Violinmaker and Luthier
Phil is a superb maker and luthier. I completely trust him with my great instruments and he is a man with a huge heart. I own one of his wonderful violins. Many professional, well known instrumentalists own his instruments.
PollyMute
"The finest mute I know of. Great sound, slides silently behind bridge and offers a clear, soloistic, beautifully muted sound."
Presto Impulse
"The Presto Impulse bow is remarkable. I was amazed at the response, clarity, and tone it produces. This is a serious endorsement from me, as I have always shunned carbon fiber bows due to their lack of an "organic" feel. This bow feels and responds like a first rate bow in many ways. It doesn't produce a buttery tone like a great Peccatte or Simon, but it's the next best thing. Congratulations to Shar on a wonderful achievement."
Ronald Forrester, Archetier
"Ron Forrester is an extraordinary American bowmaker and is my exclusive bow repairman and restorer. He recently made me a copy of my beautiful Dominique Peccate. Impeccable craftsmanship, gorgeous wood and most importantly, plays and sounds like the original. I've played it for 4 years now and can't put it down! A luthier of great talent and integrity."
Scholarships and Financial Resources for Future Musicians
An excellent resource for young applicants to CMU and my class
Stradivarius International Violin Competition
"The Stradivarius International Violin Competition is an independent non-profit organization. I am President of the Jury and a consultant to Charles Liu, Founder. A competition with the utmost integrity and fairness, I am proud to be associated with them."
XIV Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition
"I was honored to be a member of the distinguished Jury for the music world's most prestigious contest, the XIV Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia, June 15-July 3, 2011. It was a privilege to participate in the selection of the next great violinist of this generation."