Bio

Violinist Clare Bresnahan enjoys a varied musical life as a freelancer and teacher in Seattle. She performs with several orchestras in the area, including North Corner Chamber Orchestra (NOCCO), and also is an active recording artist for movie, television, and video game soundtracks. In addition to her performing career, Clare runs a private teaching studio in West Seattle.

Clare holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied with David Perry. While in Madison Clare held a position with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and also performed with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Iowa, Quad City Symphony Orchestra, and New Muse Ensemble.

Prior to her time in Wisconsin, Clare spent time studying privately in London with David Takeno, Chair of Violin at Guildhall School of Music. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree magna cum laude at Central Washington University, where she served as concertmaster of the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. During college, Clare won the senior division of the Washington American String Teachers Association Solo Competition. She has spent her summers participating in music festivals such as the Castleman Quartet Program, Miami Music Festival, and National Orchestral Institute.

As a teacher, Clare enjoys the variety of working with many different ages and ability levels. She maintains a private studio of violin and viola students and also has extensive experience teaching group classes and coaching for public schools, youth symphonies, and summer camps. She partially draws on a background in the Suzuki Method and also incorporates aspects of her training in a body awareness and healthy movement method called Body Mapping.

While her formal training has been in classical music, Clare enjoys venturing into other genres such as jazz, rock, and fiddling as well. In her spare time, Clare loves soaking up the beauty of the Pacific Northwest while hiking, sailing, playing with dogs, and savoring great food.