Respected as both a violinist and pianist, Dr. April Martin has flourished in many diverse musical roles. She appears frequently as orchestral musician, soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative pianist. She is currently a first violinist in the Spokane Symphony Orchestra and a violinist in the Lake City Strings. Teaching is also a vital component of her musical life and April maintains a vibrant private studio.

 

Beginning violin at the age of three and piano at the age of four helped to instill in April a life-long love of music. As a student, April won many competitions and awards including the Steinway Concerto Competition and the Jefferson Symphony Young Artists Concerto Competition. She also competed as national finalist in the MTNA Selmer Instrumental Competition. She has soloed with many groups including the Lamont Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Young Sinfonia, the Lakewood Symphony Orchestra, and the Colorado State University Symphony Orchestra. As a student, April recieved sponsorship from the Young Musicians Foundation of Colorado, an organization founded to promote the careers of aspiring young musicians. 

 

In 1996, April was chosen to be the Lakewood representative for the Lakewood, Colorado/Chester, England Music Scholar Exchange Program. She also has had the opportunity to participate in several music festivals including the Indiana University Summer Piano Academy, the International Institute for Young Musicians, and the Tel-Hai International Piano Masterclass Course in Israel. In 2000, she was chosen as the Most Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Performance from the University of Denver and was awarded a study and performance trip to Nagoya, Japan.

 

April received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance from the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver. Continuing her education at the University of Colorado, April received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin Performance. Her primary teachers have been Alice Rybak, Benjamin Kaplan, Judy Bonnell, and Elaine Adams on piano and Lina Bahn, Andres Cardenes, Harold Wippler, James Maurer, Barbara Rino, and Mary Ann Mears on violin.

 

Highly in demand as a collaborative artist, Dr. Martin served as staff accompanist at Metropolitan State University of Denver, staff accompanist for the Colorado Suzuki Institute, principal accompanist for the Colorado Chorale, and free-lance accompanist with professional musicians and students of all ages. She also performs as a professional violinist and has appeared in many groups including the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, the St. Mary Baroque Orchestra, and Le Sorelle String Quartet. 



Passionate about teaching and passing on her love of music, Dr. Martin maintains a private studio of both violin and piano students in addition to coaching chamber music and collaborative piano. Her students are regular prize winners in local competitions and several have appeared as soloists with local orchestras.