Quinton I. Morris, violin

Quinton I. Morris enjoys a multifaceted career as a concert violinist, chamber musician, teacher, conductor, artistic/executive director and founder of The Young Eight. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Mr. Morris has performed solo concerto and recitals and chamber music performances in the United States, the Middle East, France, Spain and Africa. He is the recipient of numerous competition awards including The Boston Conservatory Chamber Music Honors Competition, the Louisiana Junior Philharmonic Orchestra Young Artist's Concerto Competition and the Seattle Philharmonic Concerto Competition. Mr. Morris has served on the artist roster and faculties for the Austin Chamber Music Center, Longhorn Music Camp, Huston-Tillotson University and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Mr. Morris is a fellowship student at The University of Texas at Austin as a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree studying violin with Miró String Quartet member, Daniel Ching. He earned a Master of Music degree from The Boston Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music from the North Carolina School of the Arts. His previous teachers have included Lynn Chang, Irina Muresanu and Judith Eisenberg. He is currently the Director of Chamber and Instrumental Music and Assistant Professor at Seattle University.

Getting to know Quinton I. Morris

What are your hobbies outside of music?

In my spare time, I love to read, be outside in some great weather or swimming. I also love to ride go-carts, basketball, going roller-skating and a great conversation about something educational is also great. I also absolutely love jazz and hip-hop.

What is your favorite food?

My absolute favorite food is a good piece of fried chicken! I also love seafood – shrimp, oysters, calamari and crawfish are my favorites! Last but not least, a good dinner of soul food is also great!

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

The scariest musical experience I had was when I was in high school. It was the day of my senior recital and I was sick as a dog! I am a cancer survivor – and at that time, I was still taking heavy doses of radiation, which literally burnt my entire body from my waist up. It was extremely painful to play my violin, but I was determined to play my recital. I started out okay but by the time intermission came, I was in my dressing room very ill. My Mom insisted I cancel the recital but I wouldn’t give up. I went back out and played the second half of the concert “barely standing” and somehow I got through the Lalo’s Symphonie Espanole and then completely collapsed after the recital. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.

What do you enjoy most about being a young artist?

I think what I enjoy most about being a young artist is the accessibility I have to reach an audience that is my age and younger. I think it’s extremely important for young people to know that you don’t have to be an older person in order to enjoy classical music. I especially enjoy being able to reach out to various communities and to see how people are touched by our music. I love nothing more than when someone comes up to me after one of our performances and says, “Man, I loved your performance and am so inspired to go out and do my best.”  That is the most amazing feeling!

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

“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”