Kenneth Jarvis, violin

Kenneth Jarvis, a violinist and dancer, studied at Indiana University. He studied violin performance with Paul Biss and dance with Violette Verdy, Leslie Peck and Jacques and Virginia Cesbron. Mr. Jarvis has been a member of Indiana University’s (IU) prestigious Philharmonic and has been awarded several fellowships to attend the Brevard Music Festival. He was also a finalist in the Brevard Music Center Concerto Competition and has performed with the Richmond (Indiana) Symphony. Mr. Jarvis has also been an avid ballroom dance competitor and instructor with the IU Ballroom Dance Competition Team. He has choreographed and danced for various local dance companies and events throughout Indiana. For the past two years he has taught dance at four local dance studios. He hopes to continue dancing and choreographing for dance companies and performing violin professionally. Mr. Jarvis serves as the Dean of Admissions for The Young Eight String Seminar.

Getting to know Kenneth Jarvis

What are your hobbies outside of music?

My biggest two hobbies happen to also be hobbies that I teach or have taught in my past. These hobbies are dance and language. I’ve had the privilege to study, perform and teach with various dance studios and companies. My love of language, particularly French, regularly takes me to Paris where I have also taught English. Eventually I would like to open my own dance studios and retire in France.

What is your favorite food?

I’ve always been a huge fan of seafood and my favorite dish is crab. The first time I fell in love with crab was at a summer picnic in Virginia where I was able to eat as many crabs as I wanted. Even today, I normally will first order any dish that contains crab at a restaurant.

What was the most memorable or scariest musical experience you’ve ever had?

One of my most memorable musical experiences was during my senior year at the Iowa All-State Orchestra. For many years, it was a dream of mine to become concertmaster of the Iowa All-State Orchestra before college. At the final auditions of my senior year I played my excerpts behind a screen as normal and was disgusted at the sound I was producing.  Completely discouraged, I left the audition room and I watched as some my talented colleagues, from other schools, were called back (as is typically done for the first few top seats). Then the seating list was posted. Before I had a chance to wander over and see my name somewhere in the middle, a friend of mine ran over to me and said, “You’re Concertmaster, Kenneth!” I couldn’t believe it. All I could do was smile dumb-founded. That year, we played Sibelius’s Second Symphony. As the concert came to a close with trumpets blaring, strings bowing at rapid speed, and an amazing guest conductor leading a sea of 500+ musicians, I thought, “This is why I’ve worked so hard; not really to become concertmaster, but to share great music with friends and colleagues and remember this remarkable feeling of achievement.

What do you enjoy most about being a young artist?

Being labeled “a young artist” always reminds me of the excitement of being new and a bit “undiscovered.” There is a thrill in knowing that every audience that you play, dance or teach for is an opportunity for you to make a lasting impression. As I grow in and outside of the arts, it’s rewarding to look back only a short while and see the things that I’ve done or the places I’ve been. Although it can be a challenge being “unsettled,” as many young people in college or right out of college are, it’s exciting to know that this time in our lives is the best time to explore the possibilities in life that we want.

What is your personal quote or motto that you live by?

If you trust in yourself, believe in fate and follow your path, you will always succeed.