Uzbekistan-born multi-instrumentalist Keyreel Raskolenko has been described as a world-class violinist and composer. He has performed and recorded extensively in North America, Europe and Asia. A virtuoso player on 4-string and 5-string acoustic and electric violins, he is a classically trained musician with experience in classical chamber and orchestral music, fiddle music, improvisation, and composition. While his fiddling is rooted in the Cape Breton style, he is equally versed in playing classical, Irish, Scottish, and American folk music. He has taught and performed at prestigious festivals such as the Cape Breton Fiddler’s Association (Canada), Celtic Colours (Canada), and Summer Music Intensives (Texas).
In addition to teaching and performing, Keyreel also composes for violin, string quartet, and orchestra. His works have been performed at the Great Hall of Gnesin’s Academy, the Moscow House of Composers, and Texas Christian University.
Keyreel graduated from the Gnesin’s Russian Academy of Music with bachelor’s and master’s degrees for violin in 2005, and from Texas Christian University with an artist diploma in 2018. He is a member of several orchestras in the DFW area. In addition to his classical and fiddle music, he studies and plays jazz and occasionally performs solo and rock events on his 5-string electric violin.
Workshop Presenter – Classical to Traditional: Making the Switch from Violin to Fiddle