Andrew Irvin started his violin studies in his hometown of Columbia, Missouri with Kathy Rollings. This childhood interest has lead to a life of concerts throughout North America and abroad. After study with Kevin Lawrence at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Catherine Tait at Eastman, and Katy McLin at Arizona State University, he moved to Arkansas where he has been Concertmaster of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. His solo repertoire ranges from Bach and Vivaldi through Mozart and Haydn to Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Korngold, and Vaughn-Williams and includes the world premier of Michael Fines’ Double Violin Concerto.

Andrew’s chamber music highlights include performances with artists including violinist Augustin Hadelich, the Ying Quartet, the Audubon Quartet, bassist Milton Masciadri, and composer Steve Mackey. Most exciting for him is the opportunity to make music with the excellent artists of the Arkansas Symphony which he considers his artistic home. He has numerous chamber ensembles playing everything from world premieres to the favorites of the chamber music repertoire. Recordings include the Camino Trio with clarinetist, Kelly Johnson, and pianist Gail Novak. The CD “Child’s Play” is out on the Potenza label. He can also be heard in recording on the Naxos label with the Hot Springs Music Festival (HSMF). As an educator, Mr Irvin has worked with HSMF since 2003. Through the festival, he has mentored hundreds of musicians from over 19 countries and from every major music school in North America. He also has worked with the Arkansas Symphony’s Youth Orchestra program as a coach since 2003 and conductor for over 10 years.

Mr. Irvin was the progenitor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Bedtime with Bach series, an online concert series originating in March 2020 and known for receiving national press and reaching hundreds of thousands of people around the globe. In 2021 he was awarded Musical America’s Top 30 Professionals of the Year for his work with Bedtime with Bach.

Mr. Irvin works with a select private studio and his students have attended music festivals schools across the US, many with scholarships. Some of the schools include Ithaca, SUNY-Fredonia, Yale, Smith College, Arizona State University, Florida State University, St Olaf, Texas Tech, Interlochen Academy, Johns Hopkins, University of Michigan, Calvin College and many of Arkansas’ fine music schools. He plays a 1765 Gagliano violin.