Kate O’Brien

Kate plays all kinds of music. She moves seamlessly from elegant classical to current and past popular songs, rock, soul, swing, jazz, country fiddling, and ethnic music. She has extensive experience playing SOLO violin and with her String DUO, String TRIO and String QUARTET musicians for wedding ceremonies, receptions, private events, concerts, schools, restaurants and recording studios. She loves writing her own arrangements so you can hear the music you want – requests are welcome!

Kate had her first professional experience playing with the Knoxville Symphony in Tennessee at age 15 (they paid for her violin lessons). After college and before her kids were born, she played electric violin and guitar, traveling throughout the US, Canada and the Caribbean. She played with an all female C&W act, the Honky Tonk Angels, spent a year on the road with the Julie Grant show, and put together a dance band, Elixir, with her husband, a rock ‘n roll bass player, playing nightclubs in CT – Kate was the only disco violinist around!

Her life-changing experience studying jazz and ear training with the legendary Linc Chamberland allowed her to become a strolling violinist, playing innumerable songs/music by ear, with no sheet music in front of her.

After her children were born, she returned to playing her fine acoustic violin in CT orchestras, chamber music groups, acoustic bands, musical theater shows, restaurants and also strolling at private events, senior and rehab facilities. She was thrilled to play for many years under the baton of the esteemed Conductor and Music Director of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Gustav Meier, until his retirement in April 2013.

She started a vocal trio, Moxie, with two friends and sang, played electric violin, and wrote arrangements for the trio plus backup band. They had so much fun for many years performing swing tunes and old romantic ballads and also recording a CD.

Playing her 1996 Andrius Faruolo violin, a Guarneri copy, has made Kate happier than anything she has ever purchased before or since. If you want more information about Andrius, please visit his website.