Anne Francis

Hailed for his “glorious strength” and “elegance” (New York Concert Review), Russell Fallstad has blazed a remarkable trail as violinist and violist since beginning Suzuki lessons in the Minnesota public school system. Founding violist of the Fry Street Quartet, Mr. Fallstad has performed and recorded internationally in venues including Carnegie Hall, The Aspen Festival and the Jerusalem Music Center and has performed with notable colleagues Pinchas Zukerman, Lynn Harrell & Donald Weilerstein. As a principal player in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Mr. Fallstad performed under the batons of world-renowned conductors Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Boulez, and Sir George Solti with summer seasons in the Spoleto Festival Orchestra.

Fallstad’s eclectic musical interests have marked his trajectory as an artist. An active performer in the new music scene, Mr. Fallstad debuted many performances of new works at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, the University of Chicago, and with the Cube Ensemble. He also enjoyed performing on period instruments and bows with renowned baroque ensembles Apollo’s Fire and Ars Musica. Dedicated to stretching the confines of the classical genre, Mr. Fallstad performed as bass guitarist and singer-songwriter for 80’s rock bands Fruity Dog and IMU, additionally performing in the Latin-jazz combo Macondo Stew.

Mr. Fallstad currently teaches on the String and Chamber Music Faculty at the Caine School of the Arts at Utah State University and has held positions at DePaul University, Northwestern University, and North Carolina School for the Arts. A passionate advocate of music education for young children, he is currently Director of the Cache Valley Suzuki School at Utah State University. Mr. Fallstad performs on a Carl Becker viola made in 1975, and a Pierre Simon bow made in 1862.
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