Christopher E. Sexton
8043 Lantern Court chris@nothinfancybluegrass.com
Manassas, VA 20109 (703) 975-5075
Recent Masters graduate planning next academic and career steps. Goals include deepening my relationships and career in the music field, growing my private music lesson studio, broadening my studio work, growing my bluegrass and Americana band, and teaching adjunct/part-time at one or more public or private institutions. While I am proficient and highly knowledgeable in traditional classical studies, I have a focus and extensive expertise in bluegrass and Americana music; a genre not currently well-represented in academic studies or private instruction.
College : Shenandoah University 2008 – 2010
M.M. in Instrumental Pedagogy (Violin), GPA: 3.900
Shenandoah University 1993 - 1997
B.M. in Instrumental Performance (Violin), GPA: 3.387
Minor in Piano and Voice
Province Alumni Coordinator, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia 2009 – Present
Alumni Relations Officer, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia 2007 – 2009
Passed Praxis; held provisional teaching license; Commonwealth of Virginia 2000 – 2003 Member, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia 1995 – Present
Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Band LLC; Buena Vista, VA (based) 1998 - Present
Positions held: IBMA, SPBGMA and Grammy-Nominated Fiddler and Vocalist
Duties: As principal and co-owner of nationally renowned bluegrass/Americana band, have traveled extensively through 40 states while averaging 120 gigs per year and releasing 8 full-length bluegrass recordings through Pinecastle Records label.
Performed at Lincoln Center, the Grand Ole Opry, the Birchmere, the Ryman Auditorium, the SPGBMA Awards, the IBMA Awards, numerous other locations and prestigious festivals throughout the United States and Canada. Slated to host SPBGMA Midwest Awards, 2010.
Featured clinician at fiddle workshops at bluegrass festivals across US and Canada.
Nothin’ Fancy has collectively been nominated for over a dozen awards through the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Awards (SPGBMA) and the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).
Special guest artist on Rhonda Vincent & The Rage’s 2006 CD, “Ragin’ Live.” Grammy-Nominated for 2006 Bluegrass Album of the Year.
Are currently the thrice-running (2008 – 2010) recipients of the SPGBMA “Entertaining Band of the Year” award.
Four-time running nominee (2008-2010) for SPGBMA Fiddler of the Year award, and four-time contest winner at the Galax Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention.
Foxes Music Company, Falls Church, VA 2002 - Present
Positions held: Private music instructor
Duties: One-on-one lessons in violin, fiddle, viola, and cello
Picker’s Supply Inc., Fredericksburg, VA 2002 - Present
Positions held: Private music instructor
Duties: One-on-one lessons in violin, fiddle, viola, and cello
Freelance Recording Artist, Manassas VA 1998 - Present
Positions held: Violinist, Fiddler, Violist, Cellist, Vocalist, Pianist
Duties: Have appeared on over 25 albums of bluegrass, classical, jazz, pop, and R&B genres, including one solo album; recently recorded under the direction of noted R&B and hip-hop producers Timbaland and Ferrell. Additionally, have recorded for the Discovery Channel, Learning Channel, National Geographic, and PBS.
Violino Ristorante Italiano, Winchester, VA 1995 - Present
Positions held: Violinist
Duties: Entertainment, strings
Contemporary Music Center; Chantilly, VA 2002 - 2006
Positions held: Private music instructor
Duties: One-on-one lessons in violin, fiddle, viola, and cello
Positions held: String Director, SCORE Concert Group
Duties: Directing string section of the SCORE Concert Group
String coach
Parkside Middle School, Prince William County Schools; Manassas, VA 2000 - 2002
Positions held: Orchestra Director/Music teacher
Duties: String teacher/orchestra director
Music teacher, Director of orchestra programs
Held Provisional License in Commonwealth of Virginia for Instrumental Music, Prek-12
Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, VA 1999 - 2000
Positions held: Long-Term Substitute Orchestra Teacher, Hayfield S.S.
Substitute Teacher
Duties: (As long-term substitute) Head of orchestra/strings program
Substitute teacher for Area I in Fairfax County
Completed Suzuki-Method Training courses, Suzuki Institute, Washington DC
Loudoun Symphony Orchestra; Leesburg, VA 1998 - 2000
Positions held: Assistant Principal Viola
Duties: Assist and lead viola section
REFERENCES
Akemi Takayama; Professor of Violin, Shenandoah University atakayam@su.edu
Dr. Kenneth Sarch; Professor of Violin, Mansfield University
ksarch@epix.net
Dr. Marc Ramirez; Professor Emeritus of Violin, Shenandoah University
marcolivia@marcolivia.com